Why will Cassandre Beaugrand not compete in Abu Dhabi?
The 2025 season of the Triathlon World Series kicks off in a few days in Abu Dhabi (February 15 and 16).
However, the current champion Olympic and the world, Cassandre Beaugrand, has decided not to take the exit.
According to what he said to L'Equipe, Competing in a triathlon at the beginning of the year does not fit into her plans.
She plans to take a breather after a successful 2024, including gold at the Paris Olympics and winning her first world title in the same season.
The main reason for her withdrawal from Abu Dhabi lies in the need for a real rest and a gradual approach. The 27-year-old French athlete believes that starting in February is too soon and prefers to focus on refining her running before fully returning to the triathlon calendar.
The Monaco 5K
Instead of jumping into the pool, cycling and running in Abu Dhabi, Beaugrand will open its calendar this Sunday with the Monaco 5K.
A very popular winter road event, renowned for its fast circuits. Last season, the Frenchwoman showed impressive racing skills: in Hamburg she was able to clock a split of close to 15'20'' in the 4.900-metre sprint, and at the Olympic Games she clocked 32'42'' for the final 10K of her golden triathlon.
The big question is whether he will dare to challenge the French 5K record (14'58'' set in 2022).
Beaugrand He admits that he doesn't know if he can maintain that pace for a full 5K, but he sees it as an attractive challenge, as it is an "intermediate goal" to measure himself against top-level athletes.
Girona: your new operations centre
Another key factor in your preparation is your new base in Girona (Spain). After training in Loughborough, Beaugrand decided to move to work with Belgian coach Glenn Poleunis.
This change is a response to the search for a more favourable environment for running and the personal balance that she desires.
Girona has become a popular destination for elite triathletes, thanks to its climate and the variety of routes for riding and running.
Next steps: Liévin and the World Series
Once the 5K race in Monaco is over, the next goal of Cassandre Beaugrand will be the Liévin indoor triathlon, scheduled for March 22.
This competition, held indoors, offers a different experience, combining short and explosive segments that test speed and swimming technique in the pool.
Later, the current world champion will return to the dynamics of the Triathlon World Series, with the Yokohama round in May as the first major objective.
