Photos courtesy Lindahls Pro + Triathlon Series
By Kent Gray/Triathlon.kiwi
Eva Goodisson needed only one start in the French club scene to be left absolutely smitten by the Lindahls Pro + Triathlon Series.
The Gold Coast-based Kiwi (pictured far right) made her French Grand Prix debut in the final round of the series in Saint Jean de Monts at the weekend alongside fellow first-timer Brea Roderick and Kiwi regular Hayden Wilde.
Wilde helped his Lievin Triathlon Club team to the overall season title despite an uncharacteristic 12th in the individual men’s race while Goodisson and Roderick finished 18th and 24th respectively in the division 1 women’s race.
For Goodisson, racing for Issy Triathlon, it was both an eye-opener and a huge confidence boost as she continues the slow burn back to full run fitness following a serious neural back injury.
“I personally felt like it was my best result since my back injury with second out the water ahead of the likes of Emma Lombardi, Jeanne Lehair and Yuko Takahashi,” the Havelock North 25-year-old said.
“We had a breakaway of two up the front until a pack of 15 caught half way [into the bike] then had my fastest run yet to finish 18th.”
Goodisson’s 5km split was 17:38, just behind Roderick’s 17:24.
Lehair won the sprint race in 1:00:07, six seconds clear of fellow Frenchwoman Lombardi with Columbia’s Maris Valasquez third. Goodisson clocked 1:02:02 and Roderick 1:02:45.
“A mass beach start with 100 girls was something I hadn’t experienced before,” Goodisson continued. Chaotic, electric and exciting…it really was a special experience and something so valuable for triathletes.
“Such a great atmosphere and competition. No wonder the French have such depth running a series like that.”
Goodisson’s team was third on the day and second overall.
Wilde, meanwhile, missed the main bunch after exiting the water in 25th place. He was credited with 34th after the bike but typically ran his way throught he field with the second best of the day 5km split of 13:52 to finish in a time of 54:33.
Dorian Coninx (53:57) edged Pierre Le Corre (53:57) in a sprint finish with another Frenchman, Rom Richard (54:03) third.
