2024 XTERRA World Cup Stop #5 Preview: Conquering Québec

2024 XTERRA World Cup Stop #5 Preview: Conquering Québec

MANOIR DU LAC DELAGE, QUÉBEC, CANADA
On its 10th anniversary, XTERRA Québec joins the XTERRA World Cup on July 12-14, 2024.
The weekend festivities feature the XTERRA Short Track Triathlon on July 12, an elite event for top-ranked athletes, known for its intense competition and spectator-friendly format, adding to overall World Cup standings.
Over three days and 14 races, the Full Distance Triathlon will see French off-road titans like World Champions Arthur Serrières and Solenne Billouin, World Cup Champion Alizée Paties, the Forissier brothers alongside Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen from Denmark and American legend Timothy O’Donnell competing for a $20,000 prize purse.
Athletes will swim two 1.5K loops in Lac Delage, bike 31K over two loops with a fast and flowy terrain, and finish with an 11K trail run featuring a climb to 190 meters, and a rapid descent.

Women’s Race Preview
The showdown between Alizée Paties and Solenne Billouin is set to define the XTERRA World Cup standings, with Billouin aiming to clinch the title and Paties targeting a key victory in Québec.

Top 5 Elite Women At Stop #5

1. Solenne Billouin, FRA, 455 pts.
“I am very happy being here and to hopefully be on top, but of course, there are a lot of unknowns about my shape and capacity to race hard. The place is amazing and you need a lot of focus on the bike to keep pushing all the time.”

2. Alizée Paties, FRA, 383 pts.
“I absolutely love the course—it’s magical, and I’m starry-eyed! The location is super cool, and the bike course is awesome. I’m not sure how I’ll perform on Sunday, but I’m definitely going to enjoy the tracks. I’ve been training at altitude to prepare, and I feel mentally and physically better.”

3. Marta Menditto, ITA, 355 pts.
“The downhill sections here are really fun on the bike. Constant pushing is required, but being prepared for any type of bike course is part of my job. I think it’s important not to expend too much energy on the bike because the run afterward is really challenging. I know I can compete for the podium, so I’ll do my best to achieve that goal.”

4. Anna Zehnder, CHE, 294 pts.
“We’re in the middle of the World Cup and it’s going to be interesting to see who is still fresh and who is barely hanging on. The door is wide open for me to give my best and make a push. The fastest run split is the goal.”

5. Lorena Erl, DEU, 164 pts.
“I’m excited to race in this Canadian landscape. My motivation is to have fun at the race, have a good time with other athletes beforehand, and to keep a relaxed mindset.”

Men’s Race Preview
Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen and the Forissier brothers headline the men’s competition, with Sloth Nielsen aiming to continue his winning streak and the Forissiers battling for top standings.

Top 5 Elite Men Lining Up At the Lake

1. Felix Forissier, FRA, 447 pts.
“I think I’m in the best shape of my life. I was happy with my second-place result [at XTERRA Belgium], and it’s also good for my World Cup standings. At this stage of the season, I feel good and focused.”

2. Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen, DNK, 403 pts.
“I feel great coming into this race. I’m looking forward to a strong showing here in Québec. The course suits me well—it’s like a mountain bike paradise. I expect to quickly close the gap on my competition. We’ll see how they play their cards, but I’m here to gamble for the win, not just a podium finish.”

3. Arthur Forissier, FRA, 388 pts.
“Every race plan is different, and I have to adapt to every particularity. Adaptation is the most beautiful of all the qualities, and adapting to different terrain, weather, and duration of effort is a demonstration of performance.”

4. Maxim Chané, FRA, 333 pts.
“French athletes are always the ones to look for. Try to stay on the French train, and you’re where the race action is.”

5. Arthur Serrières, FRA, 310 pts.
“I need results right now. I’m searching for my shape. I’m always better at the end of the season, and I’m pretty sure I will be improving.”

Festival of Speed and Solidarity
This weekend, the trails of Québec will determine the fate of elite competitors like Felix Forissier and Solenne Billouin as they aim to secure their World Cup titles.
XTERRA Québec’s festival offers events for all ages and skill levels, including a Night SwimRun, Night Trail Marathon, Night Trail Half Marathon, and Open Water Swim.
The family-friendly expo and race village are just 20 minutes from historic Québec City.
The weekend also features a Kids Night Run, Super Sprint Triathlon, Youth Triathlons, Sprint Triathlon, Full Distance Duathlon, and Sprint Duathlon, celebrating community and the great outdoors.

X-TERRA Planet