This Sunday, Andreas Raelert makes his debut race of the new season at the Cannes International Triathlon. This competition will be his personal year-opener in 2017. "I have done a lot of training hours during winter," says Andreas Raelert, "the more I’m looking forward now to my debut race of the 2017 season."
Last year, Andreas Raelert ranked third at the Cannes International Triathlon. "It was a very challenging and fast race," he looks back to this event, "I do have very good memories especially due to the good organization of the race and due to the race course." Only the weather has not been optimal in previous year, and Andreas Raelert was missing some freshness on the final run kilometers to catch up with Frenchman Etienne Diemunsch and Giulio Molinari from Italy.
Andreas Raelert is thinking positive about his second start in Cannes, and he is full of confidence. The fourth edition of the race will offer a strong professional line-up including not only two-time runner-up Giulio Molinari and his fellow countryman Alessandro Degasperi. Moreover, there are some other fast athletes at the start line, in addition to strong local heroes the are the two Germans Sebastian Kienle and Maurice Clavel among the favorites. For sure, they want to make the race fast on the tough course which consists of a 2 kilometer swim, a 95 kilometer bike ride and a 16 kilometer run. "Especially, the bike course with 1500 meters of climbing is really demanding," says Andreas Raelert.
The race leads the field from the Côte d'Azur to the Alpes-Maritimes and then back to Cannes. It is a tough course, but this race means a great pleasure for Andreas Raelert, too. During winter, he worked hard in various training camps in Lanzarote to get ready for the season. "I am curious to see where I am with my training," says Andreas Raelert, "it is the first race of the year, and you are always very excited to start into those races." Andreas Raelert would like to start into the new season in a convincing way.