FIC VRM: Guyader takes the win, Julien in bronze

Winner of the Vendee Roller Marathon and of the French Inline Cup Yann Guyader (FRA) has made it two victories in a row, with a win in Les Herbiers this weekend. Few would dispute his claim to being the best skater of 2008, winner of the World Inline Cup, of the Swiss Inline Cup, and with a World Championship title in Gijon as well, Guyader has also taken victory in the tough Les Herbiers event. Julien, third of the race, finished at the fourth rank of the overall of the FIC.

A second win in the French Inline Cup in 2 weeks, with Guyader able to nip Matthieu Boher (FRA) for the overall of the French national series. It was raining and windy in Vendée for the finale of the French Inline Cup 2008. It has been sunny all the season through, but not during the last stage of the series.

So the roads were very slippery and the beginning of the marathon proved decisive: when it rains, the accelerations are often more powerful and it gets increasingly difficult to close the breaks that occur. Yann Guyader knows that better than most. The 2008 WIC Champion chose the offensive tactic right from the start of the race: he attacked a first time after five kilometers, and a gap was opened, with six other skaters following. He attacked a second time after ten kilometers, and a second gap opened - this time with only three skaters able to follow him. Ewen Fernandez (FRA), Julien Levrard (FRA, Levallois Sporting Club) and Kévin Gauclin (FRA).

Matthieu Boher (FRA), the provisional leader of the FIC was in pursuit, with his two lieutenants Sébastien Babault and Fabien Hascoët, but would not close. The main peloton was pulled out of the race, even though the Rollerblade France squad was leading it with the hope of bringing the race back together.

The last victory is decisive

The race was done, and no-one was able to prevent another Guyader “chevauchée” in Les Herbiers. He captured a third win in the FIC after those of Lille and Lyon. Gauclin finished second and Levard third, with Boher finishing in fifth, but not enough to keep his crown in the national series. Guyader and Boher captured the same amount of points, but the last victory proced decisive for the overall title.

Few competitors took part in the ladies marathon, unfortunately. The bad weather obliged a number of them to give up, and to stay focused on the coming French Marathon Championship, due to take place the coming weekend in Angers, FR. No surprise either was the two favorites, Laetitia Le Bihan (FRA, Sarthe.Loops/CadoMotus Racing) and Jessica Gaudesaboos (BEL, CadoMotus) escaped quite quickly. The Belgian lead out the final sprint, but it was to be Le Bihan's day as she nipped Gaudesaboos just 50 meters away from the line, taking a narrow victory by just a few centimeters.

Thanks to Michael Byrne from Cado Motus.