Bydgoszcz (Poland) (AFP)

The French team made the surprise in Bydgoszcz (Poland) on Saturday by leading at the half-time of the European Team Championships ahead of the Polish favorites.

In a competition amputated by some cadors of world athletics, the French have for the moment surpassed themselves, some being motivated by the possibility of qualifying for the World Cups in Doha (September 27 - October 6), the major event of the year of athletics.

Aware of this double stakes, javelin thrower Alexie Alais (24 years old) exploded on the first try of her personal best almost two meters (63.46 m), and thus confirms her presence at the World Cup in Doha (27 September - October 6) by meeting the criteria of both the International Athletics Federation (IAAF) and the French Athletics Federation (FFA).

"This is the ticket for Doha, it is a pressure that falls," said the Guyanese, very expressive on the track with great reinforcements of cries and gestures.

"It was + one shot + today, my last chance for Doha, I thought I was focused on the first try, I wanted to hit hard, it was successful, wouaouh. start, "she said, after making the second best throw in French javelin history, just 8 cm from Mathilde Andraud's French record of 63.54m. However, performance remains at a distance from the best global specialists.

In the same way, Ludvy Vaillant finished 2nd in the 400m hurdles in 48th 98, his best time of the season, also achieving the "required performance level" for Doha.

- 1.5 points in front of Poland -

Rather than hope for third place, the Blues are first in the standings after 22 out of 40 with 192.5 points: they dominate Poland 1.5 points and Italy 22.5 points after a Saturday lived in the conditions amazing from north-west Poland: a moist heat (about 30 degrees) but part of the stadium swept by a strong wind that detracted from the overall performance.

They will try to keep the lead on Sunday, with Renaud Lavillenie perch, Pascal Martinot-Lagarde 110 m hurdles or Alexandra Tavernier hammer throw.

The tricolors have held their rank: the European record holder (9.86) of the straight Jimmy Vicaut set the 100 m in 10.35, an average time partly due to the strong headwind (-1.4 m / s ).

Hammer thrower Quentin Bigot finished 2nd (76.70m) behind the untouchable Polish Wojciech Nowicki (78.84m), Ninon Guillon-Rosemary 3rd of the pole vault (4.46m).

Less expected, Carolle Zahi dominated the Polish Ewa Swoboda in 11 sec 31 on 100 m, an excellent time with a strong headwind (-2,5 m / s). High jumper William Aubatin took 6th place (2.17m) and the weight-thrower Frédéric Dagée the 3rd (20.03m).

- "Happy with my race" -

Rénelle Lamote failed in the quest for minima but held her place by winning the 800m in 2: 01.21, dominating the two athletes who had preceded her at the Berlin Euro (the Ukrainian Nataliya Pryshchepa) and the Euro in Glasgow Hall this winter (Briton Shelayne Oskan-Clarke).

"It made me happy because I was not at all confident I did not know if I was able to finish strong I'm happy with my race because today with the wind there is no did not have the conditions to make a good time, "reacted Lamote, who started his season late because of pain in the hip and an Achilles tendon costing him 5 weeks of training in the spring.

Lamote will chase the famous "good time" at meetings Diamond League Birmingham (August 18) and Paris (August 24), cut for this.

© 2019 AFP