Search
shop

Europe Triathlon Cup Melilla 2022: Beaugrand leads French one-two

Sunday's Triathlon Europe Triathlon Cup Melilla was held as a duathlon, but Cassandre Beaugrand took it all in her long stride to take a clear win
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

A week on from racing in Quarteira, Portugal, the ETU Triathlon European Cup circuit moved on to Melilla, Spain.

Melilla is actually located on the North African coast, one of two autonomous cities of Spain on the Morocco-Spain border.

No swimming today thanks to another race format change, but that didn’t impact France’s pre-race favourite, Cassandre Beaugrand, who was in a different league on the run.

Swim Run #1: Beaugrand splits the field

Following something of a trend this week (cancelled swim at Challenge Salou / shortened swim at IRONMAN South Africa), the planned sprint distance triathlon was also raced as a duathlon, the swim replaced by an opening run of approx. 2km.

As the leaders made their way through T1 after little more than seven minutes of running, a group of just three would start the bike together. Cassandre Beaugrand (FRA) was joined by Alberte Kjaer Pedersen (DEN) and her Tokyo team mate and 2021 Grand Final silver medallist, Leonie Periault.

Bib #’s 1/2/3 were soon away and extending their lead. Was the podium already set? With Pedersen a silver medallist the U23 World Championship last year, that was a quality trio to chase.

Bike: The chasers bridge to gap

While the French duo were keen to extinguish any challenges on two wheels, a strong effort from behind meant that they wouldn’t get an easy ride to T2. On lap four they were were joined by the chasers of Iona Miller (GBR), Valerie Bathelemy (BEL), Edda Hannesdottir (ISL), Cathia Schär (SUI), Tanja Neubert (GER) and Nora Gmür (SUI).

Could any of those who bridged, challenge the three top-ranked athletes they had just caught?

Run: Beaugrand says au revoir

The long strides of Beaugrand took control of the race from the start of the run and she quickly built a significant lead in her strongest discipline. 25 second clear after the first of two run laps, she would have a relaxed final 2.5km to kick-off her 2022 racing season with a win.

A victory margin at the finish of 44 seconds indicates she was well within herself today too.

The experience of Periault would ensure that she made it a French double at the top of podium, with Kjar Pedersen matching her start number to take third.

ETU Triathlon European Cup Melilla Results:
Elite Women

Sunday 3 April 2022
2km run / 20km bike / 5km run

  • 1. Cassandra Beaugrand (FRA) – 52:00
  • 2. Leonie Periault (FRA) – 52:44
  • 3. Albert Kjar Pedersen (DEN) – 52:56
  • 4. Cathia Schär (SUI) – 53:08
  • 5. Tanja Neubert (GER) – 53:16
  • 6. Iona Miller (GBR) 53:25
  • 13. Daisy Davies (GBR) – 54:04
John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
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
Hayden Wilde bike supertri Boston 2024 photo credit supertri
Premium10 ways to make your road bike faster and more aero for triathlons
Kristian Blummenfelt photo credit: PTO Canadian Open
PremiumIs your gut health impacting your performance? The untapped potential of good gut health for triathletes
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
PremiumHas triathlon reached peak performance? Tri experts and legends on how much faster triathletes could get
latest News
Marquardt Hogenhaug Foley IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
‘World Championship level’ – Marquardt says bike bar was raised at Lake Placid
Solveig Lovseth wins IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025 women’s results: Løvseth shows she’s the real deal and next Norwegian superstar
Matthew Marquardt wins IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025 men’s results: Marquardt wins as defending champ EXPLODES on the run
Matthew Marquardt IRONMAN Cairns 2025 Finish Line
WATCH AGAIN: IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025 as Løvseth and Marquardt bag brilliant wins
Ruth Astle
Triathlon star Ruth Astle says injury hell has her on the brink of QUITTING
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

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...