XTERRA Luxembourg Elite Preview

Friday 30 August 2019

Race number 13 on the European Tour takes us to a new challenge around the beautiful village of Rosport in Luxembourg.

In the women's elite race tour points leader Helena Karaskova has had a solid year with wins in Denmark, Italy, Lake Scanno, and Germany, and one more good race could secure her overall victory in the tour.

"I feel little bit tired after the last two races," said Karaskova. "I had to fight a lot for a good result and now my body is empty. But I am looking forward to explore this new location and enjoy the inaugural event in Rosport.  I hope I will have the power for another great performance"

Karaskova's main rival for this race will be the young french athlete, Alizée Paties.  Paties was second in France, only losing out to our European XTERRA Champion Morgane Riou.  Alizée is focusing on Maui this year and having not raced much this year, will likely be fresh and ready.

"I had a little break after XTERRA France so I’m feeling relaxed and ready to comeback" said Paties. "I just want to measure my feelings and enjoy the first edition of XTERRA in Luxembourg! It’ll be my last race before Maui and I’m excited about that".

Nicole Walters is also racing; and is getting better with every race after finishing 18th in Czech and 12th in Germany.

"She will be stronger again for this race and fight for longer at the front,' said Lebrun. "And I also like Lizzie Orchard, who was not able to finish in Germany due to a mechanical on the bike, because we know she is fast when she's healthy. She was third at XTERRA Worlds last year, so hopefully she can have a good race in Luxembourg and build some confidence for the end of the season."

With a good race in Luxembourg and in the Netherlands on September 14, Janni Spansberg can earn some good points to secure a top 10 spot on the Euro Tour. 

"And we are also happy to have Louise Fox back racing with us," said Lebrun. "This is her first XTERRA race in two years after becoming a mother."

"I don’t have any expectations, just to enjoy racing XTERRA again, do my best, and hope to do myself justice in the pro field" said Fox. "It’s been challenging to get strong again after having a baby, but worth it all! I’m happy that my son is here to cheer me on, and it will be the best reward to see his face after I cross the finish line"!

XTERRA Luxembourg Elite Women 
1 KARÁSKOVÁ Helena CZE
13 PATIES Alizee FRA
15 WALTERS Nicole GBR
17 SPANGSBERG Janni DEN
38 ORCHARD Elizabeth NZL
NR ADAMS Heleen BEL
NR FOX Louise GBR
NR AZAM Emeline FRA

In the men's elite race there is a battle brewing for the Tour title.  Current points leader Arthur Serrieres just needs an average scoring race to maintain his lead on the tour, however, he is the European Champion, he won in Germany, and his run form is unbeatable, so  expect him to race for the win regardless of what he might say...

"I had one week break after Germany," said Serrieres. "Now I am fully focused on Maui and I'm going to Luxembourg so I can win the European Tour. I am not prepared for this race so I just hope for a place on the podium."

One athlete Arthur will have to chase down for sure is Jens Roth.  Roth is the faster swimmer and will be full of confidence after his second-place finish in Germany, and with Luxembourg being only 30 minutes from his hometown, the travel part was easy.

"I am ready for XTERRA Luxembourg," said Roth. "It’s nice to have a race so close to my hometown in Trier.  My team, my friends, my fans will be here on Sunday to support me and I’m ready to show them another good performance like I had in Zittau."

Yeray Luxem is another solid contender for the podium. He won XTERRA Belgium and with his solid swim and bike and a fast run, it could be hard for Serrieres to catch him.

XTERRA Cyprus winner Filippo Rinaldi from Italy makes his comeback after a break to recover from mononucleosis. He might not be 100% yet but he will be happy to be back. He is currently ranked 12 in the tour so a good finish here will get him back in the top 10.

Kris Coddens is also racing again after he broke his foot following his win at XTERRA Denmark. We don’t know if he will be 100% fit but he should be well rested and full of fighting spirit.

Xavier Dafflon and Rui Dolores are currently second and third in the tour. They have both already raced eight events, so their goal will be to improve on one of their lower results. After a fourth place finish in Germany, Xavier is racing really strong, so it won’t be a surprise to see him on the podium.

"I can't believe that it is probably my last XTERRA race for 2019, at least in Europe," said Dafflon.  "I still have not decided if I will race in Maui this year. My goal for XTERRA Luxembourg is to discover a new place and cross the finish line with a big smile on my face to reflect my great season!"

Doug Hall is currently ranked 10th on the tour after a series of strong races. He should be back in good shape following a DNF in Germany due to a calf injury.  Also, Peter Lehmann, who is currently 7th in the ranking and Samuel Jud who is 9th, will try to hold their position while Geert Lauryssen in 13th looks for big points so he can move up in the rankings.

XTERRA Luxembourg Elite Men
1 SERRIERES Arthur FRA
2 DAFFLON Xavier SUI
3 DOLORES Rui POR
5 CARLONI Francois FRA
7 LEHMANN Peter GER
9 JUD Samuel SUI
10 HALL Doug GBR
12 RINALDI Filippo ITA
13 LAURYSSEN Geert BEL
17 ROT Jens DEU
19 LUXEM Yeray BEL
32 KUBÍCEK Jan CZE
40 DESSERPRIT Mathieu FRA
41 CARABIN Sébastien BEL
44 HONLE Veit DEU
55 DUŠEK Karel CZE
57 LADET Romaric FRA
NR CHATTEN Jonathan GBR
NR VIVIEN Gaëtan FRA
NR PRIEM Whytic BEL
NR SCHWARZ Simon DEU

For more info visit www.xterra-luxembourg.lu

XTERRA Triathlon


Coming Triathlon Events View all

Altriman

les Angles, Pyrenees, France

eagleXman

Assergi, Italy

TriBourne 226

Eastbourne, United Kingdom

Kaike triathlon

Yonago, Tottori, Japan

Outlaw Triathlon

Nottingham, United Kingdom

Wild Siberia Xtreme

Lake Cheybek-Kohl, Siberia, Russian Federation

Starvation Extreme

Starvation Reservoir, Utah, United States

Norseman Xtreme

Geilo, Norway

Ostseeman

Glucksburg, Germany

Slovakman 226

Pieštany, Slovakia

Ironman Vitoria Gasteiz

Vitoria Gasteiz, Spain

Ironman Lake Placid

Lake Placid, United States

Ironman Leeds

Leeds, United Kingdom

Ironman Canada Ottawa

Ottowa, Canada

Ironman Kalmar Sweden

Kalmar, Sweden

Ironman Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark

Ironman Tallinn

Tallinn, Estonia

Ironman Switzerland

Thun, Switzerland

Ironman Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPS MEN

Nice, France

Oravaman

Zuberec, Slovakia

Cotswold Classic

Ashton Keynes, United Kingdom

Door Country Half

Egg Harbor, WI, United States

Garmin Tri Tour Sycow

Sycow, Poland

Castle to Coast

Windsor to Brighton, United Kingdom

Sourdough Triathlon

Chatanika, Alaska, United States

TRI Boulder

Boulder, CO, United States

Timisoara Triathlon

Timisoara, Romania

Trumer Triathlon

Obertrum am See, Austria

Honeymoon Half Gravel Tri

Honeymoon Bay BC, Canada

70.3 Muncie

Muncie, Indiana, United States

70.3 Luxembourg

Remich, Luxembourg

70.3 Swansea

Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom

70.3 Musselman

Geneva NY, United States

70.3 Ohio

Sandusky, United States

70.3 Oregon

Salem OR, United States

70.3 Ecuador

Manta, Ecuador

70.3 Boise

Boise Idaho, United States

70.3 Calgary

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

70.3 Maine

Augusta, United States

Triathlon News & Media Blogs View all

Fabian Kraft, Lena Meissner Win 70.3 Jonkoping

Fabian Kraft, Lena Meissner Win 70.3 Jonkoping

Monday 07 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

The event, held on Sunday, July 6, featured a swim in Lake Munksjön, a bike course through the scenic Swedish countryside, and a run through the center of Jönköping around the lake. more

Sam Laidlow, Laura Philipp Win CHALLENGE Roth

Sam Laidlow, Laura Philipp Win CHALLENGE Roth

Sunday 06 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

Reigning world champion Laura Philipp and world champion Sam Laidlow have won DATEV Challenge Roth and, in front of several hundred thousand spectators, entered the list of winners of the world's largest long-distance triathlon for the first time. Jonas Schomburg, who had to drop out in Frankfurt a week ago and so entered Roth last minute, came second and for a long time even had his sights set on the top step of the podium. more

70.3 Jonkoping SWE Pro Start List

70.3 Jonkoping SWE Pro Start List

Friday 04 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

A warm and heartfelt welcome to 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Jönköping European Championship! On Sunday, July 6, you’ll be part of something truly special – a celebration of athleticism, determination and community, set in the heart of Sweden. more

World Champions, Olympians, Roth Legends At CHALLENGE Roth 2025

World Champions, Olympians, Roth Legends At CHALLENGE Roth 2025

Thursday 03 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

World champions, Roth winners, Olympians, European champions, local heroes, Paralympic champions – they're all in Roth! The 2025 professional field is more diverse than ever before. Whether it's a debut or a comeback, seasoned veterans, final races or new faces: 6 July promises to be a triathlon festival full of surprises. The professional field is led by the two Ironman world champions Laura Philipp and Sam Laidlow. more

IRONMAN Announces New Performance-Based Age-Group Qualification System for World Championships

IRONMAN Announces New Performance-Based Age-Group Qualification System for World Championships

Wednesday 02 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

IRONMAN, the global leader in triathlon, today announced a new performance-based age group qualification system for its IRONMAN World Championship® and IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championship events, beginning with the 2026 qualifying cycle. Based on extensive research, testing, and feedback from athletes, the new qualifying system is designed to reward athletes based entirely on how competitive they are relative to their age group and gender. more

Facebook


YouTube


Sign up for FREE NEWSLETTER:

We will never share your email address or spam you.