Records at the Paris marathon, a duel at the top on the Flanders mountains, the new generation emerging in tennis in Miami… The sporting weekend was crossed by a breath of fresh air, but also by tornadoes outside image of the Bleues of the XV of France, who scattered the Irish. On the other hand, events were less favorable for the French in MotoGP.
Tour of Flanders: the boss is van der Poel
For three years, it has become a habitual scene. Almost a tradition, which is gradually taking hold with the arrival of the Tour of Flanders. Each time, two runners arrive escaped from the rest of the competitors. The two protagonists look at each other, distrust each other, hesitate for a long time to start the final sprint. And each time, Mathieu Van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) is one of those two.
In 2020, this scenario had allowed the Dutchman to triumph over his eternal rival, Wout Van Aert. In 2021, the grandson of Raymond Poulidor had conversely been surprised by the Dane Kasper Asgreen. What would happen to the 2022 edition? This time, it was Tadej Pogacar – who was discovering the Ronde – who accompanied van der Poel, winner as boss of a sprint which Dylan Van Baarle (2nd) and Valentin Madouas (3rd) were finally able to join.
The French snatch a nice place of honor there, after having been the only one to hold the wheel of the two cadors. For van der Poel, it is a second victory in three years. While waiting for Paris-Roubaix, in two weeks? The Dutchman will find for the occasion his rival Van Aert, package because of the Covid-19 this Sunday.
Paris Marathon: French record for Amdouni
Under the Parisian sun, Morhad Amdouni shone. The French marathon runner not only snatched third place in the men’s category, but he also broke the nineteen-year-old French record for the distance. To erase Benoît Zwierzchiewski’s 2h06’36” established in 2003, in similar weather conditions, Amdouni completed the 42.125 km in 2h05’22. This is the 4th best European performance of all time.
Deso Gelmisa wins the Paris Marathon, Morhad Amdouni breaks the French record by more than a minute #ParisMarathon
➡ Follow the #ParisMarathon live at: https://t.co/dAAyadObpu pic.twitter.com/yT9FctdH0v
— francetvsport (@francetvsport) April 3, 2022
Historic, however, this was not enough for Amdouni to win. A few meters ahead of him, the Ethiopians Deso Gelmisa (2h05’07”) and Seifu Tura (2h05’10”) battled for the win in the sprint. On the women’s side, it was the Kenyan Judith Jeptum who won, also breaking a record: that of the event, established in 2017 by Purity Rionoripo (2h20’55”). Running in 2h19’48”, Jeptum swept the previous time after starting alone at the 28th kilometer. But she also improved her personal best by almost three minutes.
Tennis: Swiatek and Alcaraz crowned in Miami
Back to the fore after a year marked by psychological problems, Naomi Osaka could not do anything against Iga Swiatek in the Miami Open final. In this match that looks like a transfer of power between a former world number 1 and the new one, Osaka only scored four games, swept away 6-4, 6-0. The Pole pockets a third tournament in a row, after Doha and Indian Wells.
Among the men, it was a young 18-year-old Spanish phenomenon who won the day: Carlos Alcaraz. The youngest winner in Miami history, he defeated Norwegian Casper Ruud after a disputed final 7-5, 6-4. This is already the third tournament won by the Spanish prodigy, Nadal’s designated successor.
Six Nations (F): the Blues delight
Unstoppable. For its second match in the Six Nations tournament, the women’s XV of France crushed Ireland on Saturday in Toulouse. Final score: 40 to 5, with the offensive bonus point as a bonus for the Blues who scored six tries. After a messy first match against Italy, the Tricolores found their skills with the ball in hand. But not only. At the foot, in touch and even in scrum: the French flew over the meeting.
In front of 11,000 spectators, Annick Hayraud’s players won with style. Ideal one week before the first trip of this 2022 tournament, to Scotland, at the end of the week. Like the Welsh and the English, the XV of France thus recorded two successes in as many matches. The last time this happened for Les Bleues was in 2018, a year that saw Les Tricolores succeed in the Grand Slam…
MotoGP: Quartararo frustrated in Argentina
Starting in sixth position in the GP of Argentina, the French MotoGP world champion, Fabio Quartararo, will not keep an indelible memory of his weekend across the Atlantic. The Yamaha rider could not do better than an eighth place. It was the Spaniard Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia) who won the race, and at the same time the first victory of his career.
And since things are well done, it is also the first of his team in MotoGP, back since 2015. After three GPs this season, we note above all that nine riders have succeeded on the podiums. Difficult to make more indecisive.