What was meant to be a celebration of endurance and passion for the sport of triathlon turned into a day of deep sorrow at the Alpsman Xtrem Triathlon in France. On Saturday, a 47-year-old athlete lost his life following a collision with a truck during the bike leg of the race near Aillon-le-Vieux. In response to the incident, organizers made the difficult but respectful decision to suspend all racing activities for the day.
The Alpsman, held in the scenic yet demanding setting around Lake Annecy, is known as one of Europe’s toughest triathlons. Under normal conditions, the event features a 3.8 km swim in Lac d’Annecy, a 180 km bike course through the French Alps with over 4,000 meters of elevation gain, and a marathon run with an additional 1,330 meters of climbing. Due to adverse weather conditions, Saturday’s swim was replaced by a 5 km run. It was during the bike segment that the tragedy occurred.
“It is with great sadness that we inform you a participant in the Alpsman Xtrem Triathlon passed away on Saturday, June 7, following a collision with a vehicle near the municipality of Aillon-le-Vieux,” the organization stated. “Emergency services arrived quickly at the scene, but despite their best efforts, the athlete could not be revived. The family has been informed and is being supported during this difficult time.”
As a mark of respect, the organization cancelled the ongoing Xtrem and Half distances. Athletes still on course were directed to continue to the transition zone in Saint-Jorioz, where the event was officially brought to an end. At the time of writing, it remains unclear whether other events scheduled for Sunday will proceed.
In France, it is not uncommon for triathlon courses to remain partially open to traffic. Race briefings consistently stress the importance of obeying road rules and yielding where necessary. However, the precise circumstances of Saturday’s fatal accident are still under investigation.
