Search
shop

Three and far from easy as Coninx takes huge step towards French Olympics spot

Three into two doesn't go but that didn't bother Dorian Coninx.
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

No country on the men’s side has more strength in depth than France, and Dorian Coninx became the first male athlete to all but book his spot for next year’s Olympics with his third place in the Paris Test Event.

With winner Alex Yee out on his own up front, there were no fewer than three Frenchmen in the thick of the battle for the remaining podium places.

Portugal’s Vasco Vilaca would pip them all in the sprint finish for silver but right on his shoulder was Coninx, crucially grabbing that all-important podium spot while Pierre Le Corre and Léo Bergere – first and second in another thriller in Sunderland recently – had to settle for fourth and fifth.

Advertisement

‘Super tough’

The French qualification criteria awards a place for a podium finish in the Test Event, providing it is validated with a top six in a WTCS Olympic-distance race next season (or top three if Sprint format).

That should be a relative formality if Coninx can continue the form which has seen him notch top-five places in Abu Dhabi, Yokohama and Cagliari this season.

So no wonder he was delighted to have booked his spot at a home Games, leaving Le Corre and Bergere to battle it out with the likes of Vincent Luis for the remaining two places.

He said: “It was a super tough race. There were five or six of us at the end for the finish. I knew I had my chance, but it’s always a bit tricky and Vasco was super strong, but third is really good and my first podium of the year too, so I’m really glad.”

Dorian Coninx Paris Test Event 2023 [Photo credit: World Triathlon / Tommy Zaferes]
[Photo credit: World Triathlon / Tommy Zaferes]

‘Thank you Paris!’

Describing how his race had unfolded, Coninx added: “I caught them after six or seven kilometres of the run and I was like, okay, there are two more places on the podium and we are still three French, so even if everything goes well, it will be a tough one.

I managed to be the first of the French, so I’m really happy about that.

“It felt amazing to run in France today and I couldn’t even hear my breath as everything was so loud and that’s the sort of race that I prefer. Thank you Paris!”

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
latest News
Lionel Sanders at the press conference ahead of 70.3 World Championship 2023
Huge injury update as Canadian triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders confirms brutal diagnosis
Sam Dickinson second place ironman 703 jonkoping 2025
British Olympic hero Sam Dickinson bidding for home glory at IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea
Kat Matthews IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Taupo New Zealand 2024
IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea: Date, start time, who’s racing and how to watch live
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth run 2023 photo credit Challenge Roth
Laura Siddall signs off amazing pro career in fitting place at beloved Challenge Roth
Kristian Blummenfelt wins 703 Aix en Provence 2025
Triathlon rival accepts superstar Kristian Blummenfelt’s challenge with cheeky Insta message
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...