The 44th edition of La Transjurassienne took place last weekend in the beautiful Jura mountains. Known for its symbolic bells, this historic race is one of France’s biggest long-distance ski events, a meeting place for Pro Tour and recreational skiers alike to enjoy the gorgeous tracks and sunshine.

Visma Ski Classics Pro Team, Team Nordic Expérience – Coste & Crédit Agricole Franche-Comté, competed on their home turf this weekend and swiped the podium in the 48km classic race on Saturday, taking home top 3 for men and 1st and 3rd places for women.

On Sunday, which was a Visma Ski Classics Challengers event, team’s skater Céline Chopard Lallier carried on the success, taking the win home in the 63km Skate, followed by team invitee Elisa Brocard, while Emilien Louvrier won the men’s race in a sprint against Tom Mancini. 

Additionally, Team Nordic Expérience took the entire podium in the “Ultra Trans”; the best-combined results of the two days in 48km classic and 63km freestyle, led by Arnaud Du Pasquier, 5th in both days, and followed by his teammates Antoine Tarantola and Antoine Auger. 

Saturday 12.02.2022 La Transjurassienne 48km CL 

Men: 

1. Thomas Joly 
2. Antoine Auger +0.9s
3. Theo Deswaziere +2s

Women 

1. Kati Roivas 
2. Solene Faivre +7.32min
3. Jennifer Lambert +10.32min

Sunday 13.02.2022 La Transjurassienne 63km FT 

Men: 

1. Emilien Louvrier 
2. Tom Mancini +1s
3. Gérard Agnellet +2s

Women: 

1. Céline Chopard Lallier 
2. Elisa Brocard +26s
3. Emilie Bulle +5.28min 

Results can be seen here and La Transjurassienne race report here.

Pro Team Director and coach of the team, Maxime Grenard, describes his team’s decision to compete at La Transju: 

“This weekend, instead of Jizerská50, we wanted to compete at La Transju to be visible to our supporters, sponsors, and the ski community in France. No better place than this mythical race! It was absolutely insane weekend for us, men taking the podium with 6 out of top 7 while women took the win and 3rd place on Saturday and 1st and 2nd places on Sunday. Our athletes also secured all the intermediate sprints on both days. It was two days of pleasure with perfect conditions. Thanks for our sponsors without whom nothing would be possible!” 

Men’s classic winner Thomas Joly, who has few top 20 places in his pocket from the Visma Ski Classics Pro Tour this season, states that as “a Jurassien,” La Transju was one of his main objectives for the season: 

“It is the biggest long-distance race in France, so I am very happy to be able to have won this and, of course, sharing the podium with my teammates in front of our sponsors. It was a great preparation for Tartu Maraton.” 

Sunday’s 63km skate race winner, also a local, Céline Chopard Lallier, who has dominated women’s skate long-distance field in France, says that it was the biggest goal of her season to win there. Unsure of her shape in the past weeks, she felt encouraged by the people cheering on the track: 

“I am very happy to win this race. It was the biggest goal of my season. La Transjurassienne is THE race in France, and it means even more to me as a local!”

For me, as a Finn in a France’s Pro Team, this weekend was all about team spirit and seeing the ski community and supporters come together. It was a chance to get to experience the mecca of France long-distance skiing and to follow my teammates’ success and joy while discovering the meaning they place on this magical race. This team has grown on me during these past two seasons, and I was happy to be part of their success this weekend. 

Next weekend, Team Nordic Expérience returns to the Visma Ski Classics Pro Tour to compete at Tartu Maraton in Estonia on Sunday, February 20.