Search
shop

Yee sees off ‘idol’ Mola for impressive success at French Grand Prix

Alex Yee powered to an eyecatching victory against a stacked field at the French Grand Prix on Saturday
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Alex Yee had a clear plan of action when we spoke to him last weekend – and the first aim has been ticked off in style.

He said: “I’ll go across and race the French Grand Prix now, and see what happens. After that, Cagliari, Bermuda, Abu Dhabi… and then Christmas!”

Advertisement

Final flourish

The ‘see what happens’ in the French GP at Saint-Jean-de-Monts proved to be the latest impressive win of the season.

Coming into the final transition Yee – racing in Valence colours – still had work to do.

He paced it perfectly and moved into the lead inside the final two kilometres from a stacked field – but had to battle to maintain that.

Jelle Geens (BEL) and Leo Bergere (FRA) stuck with him but Yee wouldn’t be denied.

And to underline the quality of the opposition, Mario Mola (ESP) and Pierre Le Corre (FRA) then closed the gap as well, with Mola kicking into the lead in the closing stages.

But Yee kept his cool in a frantic finish, powering clear with the line in sight to hold off Geens, with Mola keeping on for third.

Full of respect

It was the perfect confidence boost for Yee following on from last week’s third in Super League Triathlon’s London opener, both races at shorter distances than the WTCS targets which lie ahead.

“It’s the first time I’ve raced for Valence in three years and I love to do them proud. They helped me so much when I was younger,” said Yee.

“I’m very happy to be back in France and at this race – I think I’ve DNF’d once here and then been 15th so it’s nice to race one well. It was a really hard sea swim and then the bike was very quick so I was very happy to be in the mix at the end.

“And it was great to be racing against one of my heroes Mario Mola, he’s one of my idols. A lot of respect for him, he was amazing.”

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
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
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!)
latest News
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders says he went to a “dark place” to fuel his latest IRONMAN win
The PTO's CEO Sam Renouf
PTO reveal ambitions of matching Roth and Kona as French Riviera T100 triathlon course details unveiled
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘No No No’ – Sam Long says he felt ROBBED by swim cancellation at ‘69.1 Chattanooga’
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
Jonny Brownlee / Jonathan Brownlee - Super League Triathlon London 2023
Did the Brownlee brothers nearly join pro cycling’s Team Sky after 2012 Olympic heroics?
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...