Even if the Covid-19 pandemic has polluted the year of the sporting world, we can bring out four individual performances that made Rouen proud in 2020.
1. Pierre Gasly
September 6, 2020. In May 1996, Olivier Panis finished on the top step of the podium at the Monaco Grand Prix. He was the last French to sign a victory in Formula 1… before Pierre Gasly 24 years later, at the end of summer 2020. At only 24 years old, the native driver of Rouen succeeds in inscribing his name on the achievements: driving his AlphaTauri, he won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. At the end of a mad race, he resists the return of Carlos Sainz. The capital performance of the year, it’s for him!
Photo credit: DR
2. Logan Fontaine
December 10, 2020. At 21, the Rouen Vikings licensee Logan Fontaine won his first long course title: he was crowned French champion over 400 m at Saint-Raphaël. A turning point in the career of this specialist in open water (vice-world champion in the 5 km in 2019). Not qualified for the Tokyo Olympics with the French open water team, the native of Argentan (Orne) tries to win his ticket to Japan in the basin. A huge bet.
Photo credit: DR
3. Alexis Hanquinquant
September 5, 2020. The Rouen Triathlon licensee Alexis Hanquinquant becomes French paratriathlon champion, in Quiberon. One more gold medal in the purse of the world champion in the specialty, who completed the event in 57’59. The starting point of a new adventure that leads straight to the Tokyo Paralympic Games, postponed to 2021. The Yvetotais, triple world champion (2017-2018-2019) will present there as a conqueror.
Photo credit: DR
4. Pierrick Verger
September 6, 2020. The 20-year-old rower from the CNAR (Club Nautique et Athlétique de Rouen) is crowned European U23 rowing champion in Duisburg (Germany) in the tricolor quartet engaged in the lightweight quadruple scull. A dazzling revenge on the Italians, second in the event, who had narrowly deprived the Blues of a world champion title in 2019. This time, Pierrick Verger (at the back in the photo) and his crew did not leave not with the money in his pockets but with the gold medal around his neck.
Photo credit: DR
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