Azeddine Habz concludes his winter with the title in France in cross court

On a French Cross Country Championship in Brittany, it’s quite simple, in the end, it’s always Azeddine Habz who wins. Revealed at the highest national level in 2018 on the terrible course of Plouay by winning to everyone’s surprise on the cross court, the French international did it again this Sunday in Carhaix, still on the court.

The only change with Plouay is that Habz could claim the title of French champion and he did not hesitate to leave with it, thus ending a prolific winter with a bronze medal at the European Indoor Championships. Istanbul over 1,500m, the national title over the same distance and a record very close to the best French brand of all time.

This Sunday, however, the case was not concluded in advance even if Morhad Amdouni – jogging on the course to admire the spectacle – was not there. There were plenty of others to come and challenge Habz, the one who had the target behind his back.

The first to come forward was Bastien Augusto, 14th in Europe over 3,000m (after a fall) and determined to shake a coconut tree already launched at high speed on this 4.5 km race. A while back in the lead peloton, Habz took the lead at the start of the last loop.

The Toulousain Benoit Campion tried to destabilize him by attacking him in one of the descents of the course but the athlete from Val d’Europe carried his attack in the last rolling part of the circuit to finish alone, with a Breton flag in his hands .

“This terrain favors me because I’m always good on muddy courses full of obstaclesexplained Habz. The attack of (Benoit) Campion (4th) served me as a hare. I was waiting for the passage in heart (rise in the shape of a heart) to attack. After Europe, I had quite a few trips but I didn’t feel it. I was fresh and mentally I was ready. »

Big duel for second place between Bedrani and Augusto

Behind him, Djilali Bedrani, back to his best level after a year marred by injuries, was on the lookout and second place was finally decided to the line with Bastien Augusto, Bedrani being declared second by the jury.

Bedrani could also be satisfied with the good collective performance for the Satuc de Toulouse, and in particular the race of Benjamin Robert, second in Europe in the 800m last week and surprising 17th this Sunday on a course far from suitable for a track racer.