Yohan Diniz of France just a moment before his French record in the 50km Race Walk in Dudince (© organisers)
France has high hopes of medalling in Metz at the eighth European Cup of Race Walking on Sunday (24).
And if Yohan Diniz can retain his 20k title won two years ago at the English spa town of Leamington – it will be the perfect pick-me-up for the man expected to get the loudest cheers in the north-eastern French city.
Apart from Leamington, Diniz has had a lean time of it since he splashed through the rain to win the European Championship title in Gothenburg in 2006.
He climbed over a barrier in Beijing last August and out of the Olympic 50k long before the end. But a win on the 2k loop alongside Metz’s railway station will be a ticket back to form for the 31-year-old.
It could be an appropriate déjà vu for the race, because the man most likely to stalk him all the way is Italy’s Ivan Brugnetti.
The former Olympic gold and IAAF World Championship winner collected a PB in Leamington, albeit in second place behind the 1:18:58 best posted by Diniz.
Inevitably, Russia has a quartet ready to disrupt the duel. And although none of the four in Metz has proven pedigree in major championships – all of them are capable of sub 1:20:00.
It will be a major surprise if Russia don’t win the first race of the day.
The 8am call to arms for world record holder Denis Nizhegorodov and two team-mates should be enough to call the 50k race their own.
The intriguing part is whether 20k specialist Sergey Bakulin can step up to the longer distance and challenge the 2008 IAAF World Walking Cup winner as well as make a race of it.
Bakulin beat Nizhegorodov at the Russian Winter Championships over 35k in February – but as any walker knows – that last 15k can stand a race on its head.
In contrast, the women’s 20k is wide open.
This time, the Russian machine could be in third gear with most of its front-line attack left at home.
There’s a chance for the newly married Sabine Krantz (Zimmer that was) to celebrate her recent nuptials with a medal for Germany.
And Portugal have sent its strongest team ever to a major walks championship, with all four capable of a podium place, and anything less than team gold a major disappointment.
As far as the junior 10ks go – anyone getting a medal that doesn’t wear a Russian vest will be an upset.
The women’s team are headed by last year’s IAAF World Walking Cup winner Tatyana Kalmykova, and her two team-mates have a three-minute PB advantage over the next fastest in the 40-plus field.
Likewise in the men's junior event, Stanislav Yemelyanov has the fastest time of the year, but experienced Denis Strelkov will have to stop for a coffee at a roadside bistro in Metz to finish outside the medals.
Paul Warburton for the IAAF
And if Yohan Diniz can retain his 20k title won two years ago at the English spa town of Leamington – it will be the perfect pick-me-up for the man expected to get the loudest cheers in the north-eastern French city.
Apart from Leamington, Diniz has had a lean time of it since he splashed through the rain to win the European Championship title in Gothenburg in 2006.
He climbed over a barrier in Beijing last August and out of the Olympic 50k long before the end. But a win on the 2k loop alongside Metz’s railway station will be a ticket back to form for the 31-year-old.
It could be an appropriate déjà vu for the race, because the man most likely to stalk him all the way is Italy’s Ivan Brugnetti.
The former Olympic gold and IAAF World Championship winner collected a PB in Leamington, albeit in second place behind the 1:18:58 best posted by Diniz.
Inevitably, Russia has a quartet ready to disrupt the duel. And although none of the four in Metz has proven pedigree in major championships – all of them are capable of sub 1:20:00.
It will be a major surprise if Russia don’t win the first race of the day.
The 8am call to arms for world record holder Denis Nizhegorodov and two team-mates should be enough to call the 50k race their own.
The intriguing part is whether 20k specialist Sergey Bakulin can step up to the longer distance and challenge the 2008 IAAF World Walking Cup winner as well as make a race of it.
Bakulin beat Nizhegorodov at the Russian Winter Championships over 35k in February – but as any walker knows – that last 15k can stand a race on its head.
In contrast, the women’s 20k is wide open.
This time, the Russian machine could be in third gear with most of its front-line attack left at home.
There’s a chance for the newly married Sabine Krantz (Zimmer that was) to celebrate her recent nuptials with a medal for Germany.
And Portugal have sent its strongest team ever to a major walks championship, with all four capable of a podium place, and anything less than team gold a major disappointment.
As far as the junior 10ks go – anyone getting a medal that doesn’t wear a Russian vest will be an upset.
The women’s team are headed by last year’s IAAF World Walking Cup winner Tatyana Kalmykova, and her two team-mates have a three-minute PB advantage over the next fastest in the 40-plus field.
Likewise in the men's junior event, Stanislav Yemelyanov has the fastest time of the year, but experienced Denis Strelkov will have to stop for a coffee at a roadside bistro in Metz to finish outside the medals.
Paul Warburton for the IAAF