The most French of American runners: Rudy Von Berg will return to the Côte d'Azur for the Ironman after living in the Grasse region until he was 19.

What do the Alpes-Maritimes and Colorado have in common? Unsurprisingly, the mountains, and with them, the gorges that crisscross them. From Cians to Fer à Cheval, the playground is worthy of an El Dorado for triathletes from here and there. That's why Rudy Von Berg, the most French of American racers, has his ties there. " It's where I grew up, where I learned to ride a bike, and where I fell in love with the sport ," sums up the man who lived in the Grasse region until he was 19, referring to the Nice hinterland he's preparing to tackle on Sunday.

Confronting isn't an exaggeration when you take a quick look at what awaits the world's elite, namely 2,400 meters of elevation gain for the 180-kilometer bike leg. A different atmosphere than Texas, where the 32-year-old triathlete climbed to the third step of the podium in April.

" Nice is one of the most beautiful bike courses and one of the most complete for a triathlon," he assures. " In Texas, the cycling sector is a round trip on a highway. It's still more fun to have climbs, then flat, slightly technical descents, turns. It's easier to find the motivation and the desire to perform. And besides, it suits me and is more advantageous for me."

"When you finished ^3rd last year, it's hard to aim lower."

Rudy Von Berg announced in January that 2025 would be a year dedicated to the Pro Series circuit, which includes the official races that count toward the Ironman overall ranking. The current 15th ^- ranked athlete in the world has said goodbye to a hybrid training program between the Pro Series and the T100 circuit, dedicated to triathlons, to focus on his goal for the year: the World Championships.

With the podium in Texas, the Frenchman based in Boulder, Colorado, can boast a second place in California, also in April. His third and final outing, outside of the world championships - he will also participate in the 70.3 grand mass, the half-Ironman, in November - nevertheless leaves a hint of bitterness on his taste buds as a mile-devourer. That was in Frankfurt, in June.

" I was a bit below what I thought and the best were at a very high level, so the gap was felt. I hope to be closer to the best in Nice. When you come 3rd last year, it's hard to aim lower afterwards. That's why the goal remains the podium," announced the American.

From Ponchettes Beach, the starting point for the swim, to the Promenade des Anglais, which is requisitioned as usual for the finish of the final marathon, Rudy Von Berg expects a fierce battle. It's difficult, according to him, to consider himself the favorite for the final victory. " There are at least three guys ahead of me. I'm thinking of Magnus Ditlev, Sam Laidlow, and Kristian Blummenfelt ."

The first is Danish and is coming off a second-place finish in these same World Championships in 2024. The second, French, was crowned in Baie des Anges the previous year. While the Norwegian also tasted the crown in 2021. " Of course, it would be a dream to win here. In any case, I think I'm in the conversation for the Top 5, that's what I've been aiming for the last two years and I've managed to do better each time ." Add in the presence of a Gustav Iden back in form, and that of Martin Van Riel, crowned in Nice in June in the middle distance, and the cocktail promises to be a success.

Two months of preparation

The Grasse native has done everything he can to be ready for Sunday. He returned to France more than three weeks ago, and has been training to improve his finish, particularly the second half of the marathon. He launched his program at the beginning of July, after his Ironman in Frankfurt. " It's always better to be close to the race venue; you're more relaxed," says the man who completed his last big session 10 days ago (26km of running and 154km of cycling). " Right now, I feel fatigue building up, but that's normal; the body is entering a state of energy conservation."

Until Saturday, the day before the race, a " little run and a little swim " are on the menu for Rudy Von Berg, before jumping into the deep end on his childhood land.