43rd Edition Of The Transju - Joly's Finest Hour
The bells rang again for La Transju', but the ones worn, were around the necks of the Frenchman Thomas Joly and the Finnish Kati Roivas, winners of the 50 km classic, the big event of the day. The other bells rang out at the Chapelle-des-Bois refreshment station, faithful for so many years to greet the competitors. The smiles are back too.
On Saturday at 9 am in Les Rousses, the shot was fired to start the first race, which put an end to two long years of waiting. To celebrate this reunion between the great family of cross-country skiing and the most popular race in France, the weather was also ready with big blue skies, sunshine, and perfect snow.
Thomas Joly exclaimed: "Winning the Transju' is like winning the Olympic Games”
At the finish line below the Chaux-Neuve ski jump where the Nordic Combined World Cup races are regularly held, Thomas Joly savoured this moment. For long seconds, he waved his bell and screamed with joy. At 23 years old, the Jurassian from Team Nordic Experience won without doubt his finest victory, winning a three-way sprint with his teammates Antoine Auger, winner of the last two editions in 2018 and 2019, and Théo Deswazière. "Winning the Transju', for a Jurassian, is like winning the Olympic Games”, said the winner of the day, member of the Pontarlier ski club. “It is a lifetime ambition for someone born in this region. I took part for the first time in 2019 and I finished second. I told myself that I would come back and that it was possible to win. I’ve been thinking about it for two weeks. It was a very fast, jerky race where it was difficult to get away. We were all hurting at the end and I needed to be mentally strong. On top of that it was a 1, 2 and 3 finish for the team, so I am incredibly happy. “
A few meters away from him, Antoine Auger, 2nd, was comforted by his family. “I had a very complicated start to the season", he confides, explaining his emotions. I am very happy with my race even if it is a mixture of joy and also frustration. I am just five meters away from getting my third bell. But today I had a very strong team-mate, so I take my hat off to him because he deserves it. He is also a friend, so I am very happy for him.
Kati Roivas unbeatable
In the women's race, the main favouirte 27 year old Kati Roivas from Finland soon killed any suspense. She too is a member of Team Nordic Experience and quickly took the lead and won the race for the first time ahead of Solène Faivre from Switzerland and Jennifer Lambert from France. “I'm obviously very happy", says the Finnish rider who already won a 30 km race in Italy in January (Curon-Venosta). The start was a little bit difficult but as soon as the first climbs came, it got better and I could take the lead. I was able to get into groups with the male skiers which worked well. It was a very enjoyable race with some good climbs which I liked. Now my objective is to get back into the Top 10 of the Visma Ski Classics. It was important for the team to win, so I am very happy for the team. Second place Solène Faivre from Switzerland was also satisfied. “I knew that with Kati in the race it would be complicated to win," she explained. “The goal was to hang on as long as possible on the flat but on the climb she left me, but I'm happy because I had good sensations.”
On Sunday, in the finish zone of La Transjurassienne, below the Chaux-Neuve ski jumps, he can no longer hold back his tears. His trembling voice hides the full intensity of his emotions. At 22, Emilien Louvrier has just won the Transjurassienne. A victory grasped in a sprint finish after 63 km and 1 000 m uphill through the heart of the Jura Mountians. After his final push, he can proudly wear the winner’s victory bell.
There were a few attacks in the race, most during the climbs, and most initiated by the two main favourites, Jean-Marc Gaillard, double Olympic bronze medallist and Gérard Agnellet, second in 2019 and 2018. There were still 16 riders in the leading group with 15 km to go, it was not until the final kilometres that a group of five made a breakaway. Among them Gaillard and Agnellet, but also Tom Mancini, Emilien Louvrier and the Swiss Arnaud du Pasquier, already 5th on Saturday in the 50 km classic. At the end of the 63 km at the finish line, Emilien Chouvrier exploded with joy before collapsing.
Originally from Verrières La Cluse, the Doubian, trained by his father, claimed the finest victory of his young career, ahead of Mancini and Agnellet (Gaillard, 4th, du Pasquier, 5th). “I am overwhelmed", confided the winner of the day, sunglasses hiding his tears. This was my season’s goal, but it was really hard. With only a few kilometres to go, I had to fight hard to get back into the group, I had cramps everywhere, but I hung on and never gave up. I knew that if it came to a sprint finish, I’d have a chance. My legs were really hurting but I still felt fresh”. A monument achievement for a local cross-country skier. "Today, there was an international level with guys like Jean-Marc Gaillard and to win ahead of them is more than an honour. I have won the Transju' Jeunes six or seven times, I won the 25 km skating race three years ago, and today was my first participation in the big race. And to win it... I can’t find the words. It's unbelievable. It’s a gift from heaven! “
Second in the sprint, Tom Mancini found it hard to hide his disappointment “First of all, congratulations to Emilien," he said. “Personally, although it was a good day, but I feel very disappointed right now. It was my first long distance race and in the final sprint, I had big cramps in my thighs which held me back. It's still encouraging because Jean-Jean (Jean-Marc Gaillard) and Gégé (Gérard Agnellet) made the race harder, and I could stay with the pace, so it's a good sign for the future. Getting the opportunity to win the Transjurassienne doesn't come often, so for the moment there’s a feeling of frustration.”
Céline Chopard Lallier finally victorious
In the women's race, the race was quickly reduced to a duel between Céline Chopard Lallier, who remained an outsider despite several big victories this winter, and the Italian Elisa Brocard. They were skiing side by side as the bells rang at the Chapelle-des-Bois refreshment station, 15 km from the finish. The 27 year old Frenchwoman, also from the Doubs (Morteaux) had the final say, claiming her first success in La Transjurassienne after her second place in 2019 behind Anouk Faivre Picon.
“It's the reference event in this area and it means even more so when you're from the Jura," said the member of Team Nordic Experience. I tried to tire her out, but it didn't seem to affect her. Finally, it all came down to the bumps at Pré Poncet. The Transju' is very special for me. I watched my father competing when I was a child, I took part in the Transju'Jeunes. This race has been part of me since I was very young. I am really happy.”
Xavier Thévenard (37th): "My plan was to have fun".
Three times winner of the Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc and one of the best trail runners in the world, Xavier Thévenard is always faithful to the event (37th in 2h37'45''). My objective was to have fun and to feel my form returning. The effort here is completely different to running. Here it’s a 2 or 3 hour run whereas in trail running, it’s often over 20 hours. This allows you to test yourself and to boost your endurance for the summer season. Getting the waxing recipe right is also essential, whereas in racing, it's not the running shoes that makes the difference. I pushed myself hard today, so can now recover while watching the Olympics!
Party time for all
Behind all the champions and seasoned skiers in the leading groups, were men and women from all over France and abroad. For many, the Transju' is much more than just a cross-country ski race. It is a rendez-vous, a privileged moment in their season. At 68 years old, for Daniel Clerc, a native of the Comté region, this is his 33rd Transju'. With my friend Dominique Thierry, we’ve clocked up 60 races" he laughs. The first time was in 1982, I arrived near the back, but went on to enjoy the party and was one of the last to leave! Two years later, when I did La Transju', I just had enough time to eat a pot-au-feu before rushing to the hospital for the birth of my son”. He was still laughing when Boris Petroff, coming from Paris, called out to him. "Hey Daniel, how are you?” For his 20th Transju', Boris was aiming to complete the 50km Transju'Classic on Saturday (3h24', 170th and 1st master 9) and the 63km Transjurasssienne skating race on Sunday. “Here, you can't walk 20 metres without running into a friend," says the Parisian. “Why I come back every year? Because I don't want to admit that I'm old”. Boris is 73 years old... but his spirit is young.
Among, the old-timers are the seven "senators" who have competed every edition of La Transju' since the first one in 1979, but also many newcomers. It's my first time", says Séverine Gaillard, who came from Les Houches, near Chamonix, just before entering the starting block. “I've been hoping to be here for a long time but wanted to be well prepared first. I'm hoping for a good race through beautiful countryside. It will be a great adventure. I just hope it won't last too long!” In the end it took her just over 4 hours. As she crossed the finish line, she had a huge smile on her face.
"We are here to make people happy”
Smiles all round from all the participants, whatever the race, whatever their hopes were at the start. For several hours, the beauty of the Jura mountains was there to be savoured. More than just a race, it’s an adventure for everyone. And for the organisers, there was the satisfaction to see all participants sharing the joy.
“The results are clearly positive because we were finally able to hold all the races," rejoices Pierre-Albert Vandel, president of Trans'Organisation. “We had perfect weather conditions, temperatures that were not extreme and good snow conditions. All the participants were able to benefit from good snow throughout their race. The participation was also positive, with a total of just over 3,500 participants, a satisfactory result considering the Covid pandemic and the difficulty for foreigners to travel. There is reason to be optimistic about the future. We want to book the same weather next year," smiles the president. “The last two years have allowed us to reflect on ways to improve. We are starting again on a solid base which I hope will allow us to attract more participants, especially foreigners and elite runners.” “Marie-Pierre Guilbaud, race director and four times winner of the Transjurassienne (1989, 1991, 1994 and 1995), was equally satisfied. “I'm discovering what goes on behind the scenes," she confides. “It's a great collaboration between the participants, the volunteers, the snow groomers, etc. Everyone does their bit to ensure that the race is a big success. There is a huge effort behind the scenes, a lot of work goes on throughout the year. We are here to make people happy, and they seem to be. Without doubt many are already looking forward to the 11 and 12 February 2023, the dates for the next edition.
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Results
The Transjurassienne (63 km)
MEN
1. Emilien Louvrier, 2h27'54''
2. Tom Mancini, +1"
3. Gérard Agnellet, +2"
4. Jean-Marc Gaillard, +2"
5. Arnaud du Pasquier (SUI), +3''
WOMEN
1. Céline Chopard-Lallier, 2h34'59'' (27th overall)
2. Elisa Brocard (ITA), +26''
3. Emilie Bulle, +5'28
4. Enora Latuillière, +6'51
5. Océane Bepoix, +10'32
Transju' 50 km
MEN
1. Sébastien Mahon, 1h46'05''
2. Guillaume Heinrich, +4'42
3. Julien Gardette, +7'35'
WOMEN
1. Paulien Arel, 2h05'42'' (10th overall)
2. Elodie Bourgeaois-Pin, +3'59
3. Clémentine Laurence, +5'04
