Englishman Jonathan Alban and Frenchwoman Julie Roux won the Grand Trail 2023 Templars.

Departing with headlamps and music, this Sunday at 5:15 a.m. for the 2023 edition of the Grand Trail Templars. race That means 80.2 km of rolling trails interspersed with highly technical climbs and descents amidst the majestic landscapes of the Grands Gasse Regional Park.

By the light of headlamps, the runners reached the first aid station at Saint André de Vézines, 34 km away. At sunrise the clouds were burning away, and the Englishman Jonathan Alban – the favorite – was already in the lead, followed by the American Ben Thiman 1′. At the second refueling point in Salvage (km 56), Italian Francesco Puppi shook up the standings by taking 2nd place at the checkpoint. With the stage already taking shape with Ben Thiman in third place, the first dropout and fatigue was felt inside the top 20.

“Fun Racing”

At Mass de Bru, a local bread maker who lives in the hamlet was with other local makers to encourage the participants, some of whom were already suffering from fatigue and cold (2 ° C was observed on the plateau at 8 am this Sunday. I.).

After the final leg-breaking climb, Jonathan Alban, who had dominated the entire race, descended the final descent to Pooncho and posted a record time of 6:42:15, crossing the finish line at 12:01 p.m. “J” I had a fun race where I followed my own pace even though I didn’t feel very calm with Bubby,” said Jonathan. A double after his first crown for Templars in 2021.

Thomas Cardin 4th and first French

Thomas Cordin finished fourth, the first Frenchman (7h05’28) followed by his compatriot Robin Juillaguet (7h09’50). A second ahead of Italian Andreas Reiderer. The two haven’t spared each other since Salvage.

On the women’s side, France’s Julie Roux was commended for taking the women’s victory in a time of 7h58’28”, three and a half months after her birth. She is ahead of another French player Adeline Martin (8h04’04’) and Spaniard Gemma Arenas Alcazar (8h22’16’).

The 2023 edition of the Templars is a Grand Trail that will bring together more than 11,000 participants from 45 different countries in 15 races ranging from 9 to 108 km.