“Motivated” et ” ambitious “ at the dawn of the first autumn cross country, Baptiste Guyon, now free of his physical problems and returning at the beginning of November from a six-week training course in Font-Romeu, launched his season on Sunday November 17 at the Allonnes international cross country.
In Sarthe, the one who is now playing among the seniors, took 22e like, at 17e of the French ranking. “I'm not very well ranked. There are things to work on because in cross country, I am not at the level I am on the track. »
“A little difficult to link up hills and downhills”
Satisfied to have rediscovered a discipline that he had not known for a year and the disappointment of a modest time in Carhaix, the Solognot quickly realized that the fight for the first five places, synonymous with qualification for the European Championships, would be complicated: “On a dry course, rather rolling and demanding, it started very quickly. I had a little muscular difficulty in linking up hills and downhills. »
On the 8,420 m route in the Chaoué park, Baptiste Guyon, quickly unhooked, got stuck in the « little group » and admits not having “never been in the game”.
Nothing serious for a recovery cross but a good indicator of the work that remains to be accomplished: “Cross has not been my favorite exercise in recent years. However, I think it’s good winter work for building my season”.
The program will continue next week in Carhaix, then the following week in Agen during the French military short championships. “I will then resume at the end of winter on a cross country during the interregionals in Romorantin and the France in Challans. »
“Get out of your comfort zone”
Between the two, the Romorantinais will find his favorite playground, the road: “The goal remains the European road championships in April. Until then, I have to run 10 and a half to obtain my qualification”. The Valencia 10 km on January 12 and the Barcelona half-marathon on February 15 are planned between now and then. “I need racing to improve my form and be in battle with the others. »
After gaining a lot of confidence last season on the track, Baptiste Guyon hopes for even better this year. And count on this cross-country work to be in battle with the others: “Getting out of your comfort zone on the cross is good preparation for the road. »
The young AJBO graduate Gaspard Vallot won in the under-14 event. For her part, Blésoise Mathilde Sénéchal won the Boulogne-Billancourt half-marathon in 1 h 12'44''.
