Rudy von Berg is the star attraction at the inaugural Challenge Cagnes-sur-Mer this weekend on roads he knows well in what will be good preparation for the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice.

Born in the USA but growing up in the south of France, ‘home’ is currently close to the challenging course which is set in the foothills above Nice and along the Mediterranean shoreline.

And that stood him in good stead at IRONMAN France last year where he took the title ahead of France’s William Mennesson, who will reoppose over half the distance on Sunday.

A ‘for fun race’

Writing on his Instagram page, von Berg said: “I’ll be racing this coming Sunday as a for fun race with it being 20min from home and with a fun, hilly and beautiful bike course going up the Col de Vence from 70.3 Worlds 2019.”

Von Berg excelled on that day four years ago at the 70.3 Worlds, finishing third behind Gustav Iden and Alistair Brownlee.

And he’s started this season in fine style too with victory at a thrilling IRONMAN Texas.

He’s currently training in Nice and the plan after this weekend is to take in the PTO US Open in August before the IMWC back in Nice.

Keeping intensity high

And he added: “Won’t really back off training this week as this period for me is to focus on getting consistent weeks of volume and intensity.”

Not surprisingly for Nice, there’s plenty of elevation in store for von Berg and co – the 96km bike route features the Col de Vence of Paris-Nice fame, rising from sea level to just under 1,000m.

In stark contrast, the 21.1km run is completely flat as it follows the coastline.