Frederik Van Lierde via Alpe d'Huez to Hawaii

be3athlon (33)in #sports • 6 years ago

FVL

Frederik Van Lierde has some exiting plans for 2018!
Tuesday evening his yearly press conference took place in the Devos-Capoen garage in Kuurne, the Renault showroom of the partner since many years for the Belgian pro and provider of his new truc, which was strategically posed in the center of attention. Besides showing off his new car, Fré also plans to shine on his Cervélo PX5. Main set for this to happen is on the legendary flanks of the French Alpe d'Huez.

Break the 8-hour barrier

There was no world shocking news on the press conference, however we noticed some interesting aspects in his plans for the next season. The Menen based athlete is planning on three Ironman races (including Hawaii), one extraordinary LD event and the recce of the new 70.3 race in Vichy. In April, Fré kicks off at Ironman Texas, a fast race chosen intentionally to break the 8-hour barrier, a missing milestone in his carreer at this moment. Two months later we can find Fré in Nice, where he already is a legend. He aims for his fifth (!) win in the French town and as such to equal the record currently held by Zamora.

Watch Frederiks flash interview - Dutch
(https://www.facebook.com/3athlon.be/videos/1565340503550960/)

Unique French treble?

After Nice, France will be the main operating base for Fré. September brings the 70.3 Ironman race in Nice, the general repetition for the 2019 WC as we mentioned in the Kenneth Vandendriesche article. The date is accented on Frés calendar as well, he too intents to shine in 'his' Nice. The biggest surprise is placed in August with his participation in the LD Alpe d'Huez participation, a race which has been on his bucket list for quite some time now. These three races put him in the unique position to obtain a French treble, allowing him to gain confidence before his trip to the Big Isle.

Hawaii's Ironman is, as it should be, the main event on the calendar. Undeterred by the bad luck in two consecutive years, Fré is determined to rise to the occasion. He already lifted the vial and informed us that he is no longer relying on the Hawi resupply. Nevertheless he holds no grudge after last editions events (he lost precious minutes due to a missing supply bag). His main goal is to remind the competitors that the old garde is still to be dealt with.

FVL

Besides addressing his calender, Fré also spoke about his crew. There will be no mayor changes in the main partners, including Belgian Defense, and a new partner Paso has also been placed on the pro's Castelli suit. This catering company from the Vendée region is an ode to the integration of the Belgian athlete in the French region. He became an honorary member of the Les sables Vendéé triathlon club as well. He mentioned the regions intention to go all in for sports and to hold ambition to host an Ironman event in the near future.

FVL