Competition was fierce on the streets of Paris, but GB’s Beth Potter kicked hard to take the win in the Paris Test Event
Paris was bathed in sunlight as the world’s media gathered to see the 2024 Olympic Games course in action for the first time, with the elite women’s race going ahead first.
What happened in the swim?
News pre-race came that reigning Olympic champ Flora Duffy was a DNS due to ongoing injury, but 220 can report that she was looking in high spirits as she watched the race from the sidelines.
Starting from the pontoon under the majestic Pont Alexandre III bridge, bathed in beautiful early-morning Parisian light, the world’s best female short-course athletes – and the viewing public – couldn’t have asked for a better backdrop.
Crossing under the Pont des Invalides local hero Cassandre Beaugrand took to the front, but over the two-lap 1.5km swim she was swiftly joined by Italy’s Bianca Seregni and the USA’s Summer Rappaport.
What happened on the bike?
Rappaport had the best transition – which is actually on the Pont Alexandre III bridge – and hit the seven-lap 40km bike at the head of the lead group, which included compatriot Taylor Spivey, Vittoria Lopes (BRA), Lena Meißner (GER), Laura Lindemann (GER), Emma Lombardi (FRA), Sophie Coldwell (GBR) and Beaugrand.
Just a few seconds back came the chase group, which housed some key names – Katie Zaferes (USA) and Beth Potter (GBR). Further back in the second chase group sat Kate Waugh (GBR), Léonie Périault (FRA) and Taylor Knibb (USA).
By lap two all three groups were together, forming a pack of 24 weaving around the many cobbled streets of Paris and past some of the world’s most iconic monuments.
Little changed over the next few laps, affording the cameras some stunning sweeping vistas up the Champs-Élysées and along the Quai d’Orsay.
What happened on the run?
Spivey positioned herself at the front of the peloton as they entered T2, but little could stop Beaugrand as she disappeared ahead on her native Parisian streets for the four-lap 1.5km run.
But Beaugrand perhaps lit her matches too soon, as Potter and Lombardi ran up alongside her at the start of lap two, the Series leader Potter just edging ahead. Just behind came Lisa Tertsch (GER) and Lindemann to form a leading quintet.
Behind them Spivey and Knibb were battling to meet US qualification criteria – either a podium or a top 8. By the start of lap three, Knibb was in sixth and Spivey in ninth. Rappaport, despite her strong start, had dropped to 14th, while Zaferes was in 12th.
Back up front, and Potter and Beaugrand kicked in the battle for gold, as Lindemann and Lombardi dropped back in the fight for bronze. Next came Knibb, in fifth, as Tertsch fell back to race alongside compatriot Nina Eim in a red letter day for Team Germany.
Going into the final lap, it was Beaugrand and Potter side-by-side with a 7 second lead ahead of the other athletes. Then into the closing stages the lead extended to 9 seconds as the two athletes raced along the Champs-Élysées.
With the finish in sight, Potter sprinted and wasn’t matched by Beaugrand though, taking the victory for Team GB. In second was Beaugrand and in third Laura Lindemann.
Other British athletes crossing the line were Kate Waugh in seventh place and Sophie Coldwell in twentieth.
Next up is the men’s qualifying event on Friday 18th August, find out more and how to watch.
Image: Beth Potter shown winning in the WTCS. Updated race images and interviews to follow. Credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images