by Larry Eder
Jimmy Vicaut, photo by PhotoRun.net
Jimmy Vicaut has been a star in France for some time. On July 4, however, when Jimmy Vicaut followed Asafa Powell across the line, taking second at the AREVA Paris and running 9.86, he moved to another level.
Jimmy Vicaut was now the fastest sprinter in Europe, having equalled the European record of 9.86. L’Equipe dedicated many stories and much ink to Monsieur Vicaut for the next week.
Nicolas Herbelot, senior writer for L’Equipe and I wondered out loud, how Vicaut would do through the rounds.
Christophe Lemaitre has, which is unusual for him, some injuries this year.
I went to the city of Lille, in the north of France to see the French Elite Championships.
I came to see Vicaut, Lemaitre and the French hurdle crew.
Here is what I saw on Day two (July 11) of the champs.
Lille, France
Stade de Lille Metropole
The weather was just about perfect for sprinting: a bit cool, and with little wind.
In the stadium, with six thousand plus fans, Christophe Lemaitre was in the first round of the 100 meters. After two false starts, Christophe Lemaitre was looking, well disgusted.
Once his round took off, Lemaitre looked great! His start was good, and about thirty meters, his head came up and his long stride put him out of reach of the rest of his round, as he ran 10.22, and looked very good.
In the second round, Jimmy Vicaut looked quite good, no false starts. Vicaut’s start is not his best section of the race, but as he lifts his head, and pumps his arms, his speed and his finish over the last thirty meters comes to be seen. Even though he shut it down about 80 meters, Vicaut ran 10.19.
We would wait two hours for the final.
In the meantime, we saw Cindy Billaud run 12.83 in the 100 meter hurdles and then, win the final, going away in 12.90. Sources tell RBR that Ms. Billaud is still not all of the way back, dealing with some hamstring issues. A tough competitor, we the European silver medalist is
a tough competitor.
Christophe Lemaitre, photo by PhotoRun.net
In the final of the men’s 100 meters, this is what we saw.
With the gun off, Christophe Lemaitre got out, fine, and even was ahead of Vicaut until 30 meters. At 30 meters, Jimmy Vicaut put his head up and began to pump his arms and churn the track up, short stride after quick short stride. Lemaitre’s stride length is much longer than Vicauts, but Jimmy Vicaut’s stride rate is the difference.
At 70 meters, Lemaitre and Vicaut are together.
Then, the afterburner comes on and Jimmy Vicaut begins the final phase as he bursts away from Christophe Lemaitre.
Jimmy Vicaut wins in 9.92 and Christophe Lemaitre takes second in 10.07.
For Vicaut, it is a testament to 2015: his health and his ability to run two rounds.
For Lemaitre, it is his firs race without pain in some time. Christophe Lemaitre hurt himself on a 250 meter training track in Russia. The turns were quite tight.
It took three weeks to heal, and last week, Christophe, under the watchful eyes of his coach, ran two accelerations on Tuesday and Thursday.
The weather was good for Lemaitre and his coaches’ translator told us that Lemaitre wants to run the 200 meters on Sunday, but we will have to wait and see!
Vicaut will be running the 200 meters for a Beijing Qualifier.
And, on Sunday, we will see if Renaud Lavillenie is ready to soar!
