The European Triathlon Union (ETU) and the French Triathlon Federation have announced that in 2016 the organisations’ first Elite Sprint Championships will take place in the beautiful city of Châteauroux, France.
For ETU President, Renato Bertrandi this event represents a very positive step forwards in the development of sprint distance racing in Europe. “I am very pleased to see that the French Triathlon Federation has agreed to host the 2016 Elite Sprint Triathlon Championships in Châteauroux. I know that the city is a favourite amongst French triathletes and that, situated in almost the centre of France it will be a location that is very easy to get to.”
He continued, “Sprint events are becoming more and more popular and provide the athletes with an exciting format of racing as well as giving the media and sponsors a great show. The test event in July is the weekend after Geneva and I hope that many athletes will take the opportunity to make the short journey to support Châteauroux.”
For the French Triathlon Federation, Philippe Lescure said, “I really want to thank Renato Bertrandi and ETU for appointing Châteauroux to host the very first ETU European Triathlon Sprint Championship in July 2016. We, French Triathlon and Châteauroux are proud to have been chosen among several bids and we will do our best to welcome European countries in France and to offer them a great event.
“I would also like to thank the town and the Mayor of Châteauroux who is fully supporting our sport and who shares our goal to reach excellence in organising this event. We all look forward to giving a warm welcome all our European friends in France in 2016.”
Located only 2 hours by train from the centre of Paris and easily accessible by road the city of Châteauroux has been a venue over the years for French Championship events and is well-known and much loved by French athletes. The area is surrounded by forests and situated on the Indre River – with plentiful lakes and fitness trails.
The location for the race is known as ‘Belle Isle’. The beautiful lake, covering some 8 hectares and surrounded by a further 12 hectares of protected green areas, has its own safe beach for the start and exit from the 750m lake swim.
Out onto the bike and the roads leading to and from the town centre will all be secured. The 4-lap 20K bike course is technical and will test the athletes. Again, as with the swim, there are good spectator opportunities. Each lap passes through transition and so crowds who stay by the lake will get a chance to see the athletes as they chase over the blue carpet. The run course uses part of the bike course and will be a fast and furious 5K.
The championships will be covered by live broadcasting and the local organising committee (LOC) will be working in partnership with the area’s largest regional newspaper, La Nouvelle République, and local French Radio Station, France Bleu to bring up to date news.
