Hanquinquant seeks PTS4 title defence and PTS3 men make Paralympic Triathlon debut in Paris

by doug.gray@triathlon.org on 28 Aug, 2024 11:37 • Español
Hanquinquant seeks PTS4 title defence and PTS3 men make Paralympic Triathlon debut in Paris

Six world championship titles, one Paralympic title, France’s Paralympic flag-bearer, Paris 2024 Olympic torch-bearer, Alexis Hanquinquant is the home-town hero ready to take his nation’s capital by storm on 1 September.

Unbeaten in an individual event since the Tokyo Test Event back in 2019, there can be no doubt that he will be the man to beat once again as he seeks to defend his Paralympic title in Paris.

Meanwhile, the PTS3 men’s category will make its Paralympic debut in Paris, with 11 athletes lining up to make history for their class. Included in their number, Spain’s Daniel Molina, a dominant force in PTS3 since his debut in 2012 but up against a field stacked with medal contenders.

The PTS3 athletes will get underway at 09:25am and the PTS4 at 12:25am on Sunday 1 September. Check local listings for where to watch, and course information and the full schedule for the Paralympic Triathlon can be found here.


Alexis Hanquinquant a man on a mission

Now 38 years old, the towering figure of Alexis Hanquinquant taking the tape at the highest level has been a regular sight on the World Triathlon Para Series and World Championships.

Nearly losing his life in an industrial accident, and the eventual loss of his leg three years later, stirred the French star into taking up triathlon and Hanquinquant has flourished since coming to terms with his prosthetic and blade.

Few have been able to touch him in recent years over swim, bike or run. Australia’s Liam Twomey matched him in the water at the 2023 World Championships Pontevedra, compatriots Gregoire Berthon and Pierre-Antoine Baele have been among the closest on two wheels and the run, but it will take something very special to overcome Hanquinquant across all three.


New faces and experienced heads

The USA’s Carson Clough has been among the talents to emerge across the cycle since Tokyo, finishing fifth in his first Continental Championships in 2022 and winning them a year later, defending his title to secure qualification in Miami at the start of 2024. 

Clough took gold at June’s WTPS Swansea, beating Great Britain’s resurgent Michael Taylor into silver, but the Brit will also be on a mission in Paris after scoring WTPS Devonport gold and winning two Para Cups already this season. Australian duo Liam Twomey and Jeremy Peacock will also be vying for the medals along with Croatia’s Antonio Franko and Spain’s Nil Riudavets Victory


Molina leads line for PTS3 Paralympic debut

With more than a decade racing on the circuit, Daniel Molina (ESP) will relish his first shot at a Paralympic gold. Beaten in just three outings since 2017, the most recent of those was, in fact, in his last race, where German Max Gelhaar – 25 years Molina’s junior – delivered an impressive bike through the Swansea streets to earn the gold.

Knowing that Molina’s run could well be the differential once again, the swim portion could prove hugely significant for whoever is able to adapt to conditions the fastest. Netherlands’ Nico Van Der Burgt is one of the few who can match the Spaniard’s swim power and he will be looking to carve out a meaningful advantage over the 750m in the Seine and hold on for what would be a spectacular win.

Cedric Denuziere of France and newcomer Henry Urand (GBR) will also be looking to fire up a big performance, Korea’s double-amputee Hwang Tae Kim will want to leave his inimitable mark on the French capital.

For the full line ups click here.

Related Event: Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
02 Sep, 2024 • event pageall results
Results: PTWC Men
1. Jetze Plat H2 NED 00:58:16
2. Florian Brungraber H2 AUT 00:59:25
3. Geert Schipper H2 NED 01:00:20
4. Louis Noel H2 FRA 01:03:40
5. Giovanni Achenza H1 ITA 01:03:49
Results: PTS2 Men
1. Jules Ribstein FRA 01:05:47
2. Mohamed Lahna USA 01:07:18
3. Mark Barr USA 01:07:33
4. Maurits Morsink NED 01:08:27
5. Wim De Paepe BEL 01:09:16
Results: PTS3 Men
1. Daniel Molina ESP 01:08:05
2. Max Gelhaar GER 01:08:43
3. Nico Van Der Burgt NED 01:09:24
4. Henry Urand GBR 01:10:24
5. Cedric Denuziere FRA 01:10:34
Results: PTS4 Men
1. Alexis Hanquinquant FRA 00:58:01
2. Carson Clough USA 01:00:47
3. Nil Riudavets Victory ESP 01:01:10
4. Pierre-Antoine Baele FRA 01:01:25
5. Gregoire Berthon FRA 01:03:03
Results: PTS5 Men
1. Chris Hammer USA 00:58:44
2. Ronan Cordeiro BRA 00:59:01
3. Martin Schulz GER 00:59:19
4. Filipe Marques POR 00:59:59
5. Bence Mocsari HUN 01:00:03
Results: PTVI Men
1. Dave Ellis B3 GBR 00:58:41
2. Thibaut Rigaudeau B3 FRA 01:00:05
3. Antoine Perel B1 FRA 01:00:25
4. Owen Cravens B3 USA 01:00:43
5. Sam Harding B2 AUS 01:01:21
Results: PTWC Women
1. Lauren Parker H1 AUS 01:06:23
2. Kendall Gretsch H2 USA 01:07:46
3. Leanne Taylor H1 CAN 01:12:11
4. Eva María Moral Pedrero H1 ESP 01:12:18
5. Emelia Perry H1 USA 01:14:03
Results: PTS2 Women
1. Hailey Danz USA 01:14:31
2. Veronica Yoko Plebani ITA 01:15:37
3. Allysa Seely USA 01:16:33
4. Anu Francis AUS 01:17:48
5. Melissa Stockwell USA 01:21:06
Results: PTS4 Women
1. Megan Richter GBR 01:14:30
2. Marta Francés Gómez ESP 01:15:10
3. Hannah Moore GBR 01:16:01
4. Camille Seneclauze FRA 01:16:43
5. Elise Marc FRA 01:17:00
Results: PTS5 Women
1. Grace Norman USA 01:04:40
2. Claire Cashmore GBR 01:05:55
3. Lauren Steadman GBR 01:06:45
4. Kamylle Frenette CAN 01:09:50
5. Andrea Miguelez Ranz ESP 01:12:20