Athletics. Oesterlé and Drendel dominating at Soultzmatt
The weather was ideal on Saturday afternoon for the menhir cross, organized for the second time by “Schoenenberger”, under the leadership of Edouard Kettler. Last one, more than 430 competitors had taken part in this course, which was 6.9 kilometers long. This time, despite the superb conditions for this kind of exercise, only 259 of them crossed the finish line. The obligation to present the vaccination pass and the Grand Est championships scheduled for this Sunday probably explain this drop.
“I still had it under my feet on arrival”
As usual, the start was given at the Gauchmatt stadium. Then, after having traveled about 200 m, the participants took the pretty forest route of the Vita course, which passes at the foot of the menhir. They covered its loop three times, before returning to the stadium for the finish.
After a cautious start, the time to find his rhythm, Cédric Oesterlé took the lead and then quickly took to their heels. On the first pass through the forest, he was already prancing in the lead with a good fifteen seconds lead over Jérémy Mann, who was ahead of the peloton, already well stretched out, by a few tens of meters. On the second pass, the positions were systematic, but the gap had accumulated well. Oesterlé was ahead of Mann by more than 30 seconds, followed by Keppferlé, Galati, Chaudey, Vuylsteke, Zehler and Delacote.
On the last pass, the positions were the same. On the other hand, the first, who had taken a turn from a good part of the competitors, had to make their way through the slower competitors. Despite this, Oesterlé, already victorious on this course in 2019, maintained a steady pace throughout the journey. He finally won easily in 22’42, reducing his reference time by seven seconds.
“I resumed quietly in January, without any particular objective for the coming season. As this cross was not taking place very far from my home, I decided to take part. I’m really happy, because the sensations are still good. I still had some underfoot at the finish, whereas the other two times I won here, I wasn’t as calm,” said the winner, very satisfied with his race. Mann (68 Hospitals), took a nice 2and place, in 23’43. He also had a nice smile: “The weather was impeccable and I’m very happy with my place. Cedric was really stronger. At the end, I let go a little, to keep some juice for Charmes (where the Grand Est crosses take place, editor’s note) tomorrow (this Sunday). » Kepferlé (hospitals 68) completed the podium in 23’59.
A conclusive test
As for the women, Juliette Drendel (Cryostar) performed well alone. She won her second consecutive victory, after that of Zimmersheim. She completed her course in 27’34. “I haven’t trained for a month now due to an injury. As I live right next door, I decided to take the opportunity to do a test and in the end, it went well. I’m really satisfied, because I was able to take a steady pace and maintain it until the end, “she explained, while expressing reservations about the rest of her season. Hélène Zetter (AS Liebherr) took 2and place in 28’20 and Carole Mehl third in 28’29.