Former world trail champion and now manager of the Asics team, Thomas Lorblanchet tells We Rock Sport about his role with athletes as the brand releases its latest trail model, the GEL-TRABUCO 10.
When we talk about Thomas LorblanchetIt is difficult not to link the former French runner to the famous Templar race. It is this event that gave him a foothold in the world of high level and it is there that he wrote the best lines of his prize list in addition to his world title acquired in 2009. The four-time winner of the great Templiers trail (2007, 2008, 2010, 2013) is now the head of the Asics team and continues to practice as a physiotherapist and osteopath. His many hats allow him to advise his athletes and provide valuable feedback to the brand on its various models, such as the new GEL-TRABUCO 10 that he wears in the pictures below.
We Rock Sport You have had quite a long career even though you started at a time when the trail world was not as structured as it is today. When did you realize that you could make a career in this discipline?
Thomas Lorblanchet I arrived in the world of trail running in 2001 just after my studies of physiotherapy. I did my first Templiers in 2002 where it went well with a seventh place at the finish. At that time, it was the reference race in the trail so I told myself that I would come back to do it until I won it. That's what I did in 2007 with a first success on this event. Before that victory, I told myself that I would never come back to this event if I won it. But I finally came back every year. Over the years, I have built my seasons to perform well on the Templiers.
We Rock Sport : And then you moved on to the ultra.
T.L. Yes, after winning the Templiers for the second time in a row, I went on to win the Leadville (160 km race in the United States). I also had two top 5 finishes at the Western States (also 160 km). Then, it became more difficult with my professional obligations. I stopped in 2016 when the efforts made were not in line with the results obtained.
We Rock Sport Today you are the head of the Asics team, what is your role exactly?
T.L. In my career, I had the chance to be part of the first teams when trail running was developing and did not have the dimension it has today. In parallel to my sports career, I never stopped working as a physiotherapist. I joined the Asics team for the first time as an athlete in 2013 and 2014. When I stopped competing, it was my experience as a sportsman, my job and my Master 2 in training sciences that allowed me to join the Asics team again as a coach. Today, I am a resource person, which means that if there are training needs, I am called upon. I can also help to structure the season of the runners. We have a first deadline this weekend with the French trail championships at La Pastourelle. We have quite a few athletes who can play the leading roles in the short and long trails. Then, this summer, there will be some big events with the Marathon-Race, the Mont-Blanc cross, the Nid d'Aigle climb, the OCC, the Sierre-Zinal and the Pikes Peak Marathon.
We Rock Sport How does the Asics team differ from other structures?
T.L.: I attach a lot of importance to the company's slogan: " Anima Sana In Corpore Sano "("a healthy mind in a healthy body"). A season that has gone well is someone who has progressed globally on his sporting level but also in his vision of the discipline. He must be able to combine his high level practice with his life as an individual. It is not only a question of pure performance. You have to see how the person has progressed, how he or she has grown on a human level, because victory is not necessarily always synonymous with fulfilment.
We Rock Sport : What shoes are you running in right now?
T.L. : Since 2016, I have rediscovered the range that I had left in 2015. I enjoy running with shoes that still have that energy and philosophy specific to Asics. It is a serious brand that works to offer reliable products that last over time, which is important to me. I mainly run with DS Trainers and for the trail part, I recently switched from Fuji Lite 2 to Fuji Speed. For longer runs, I use the TRABUCO 10.
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We Rock Sport : Precisely, it is the last model of Asics, how would you define them?
T.L. They are clearly dynamic and offer a good lightness for such comfortable shoes. The foam allows a certain comfort at the level of the foot pose. And we also have a good protection of the forefoot. The mesh is more durable than the 9 and the grip system is very good. I was familiar with the Fujitrabuco Sky which also had the Asics Grip and finally, I was quite pleasantly surprised by the TRABUCO 10's lugs that do not interfere with the proper functioning of the foot. Sometimes, we have shoes that grip a lot but on surfaces a little less soft. In this case, the studs can almost be a hindrance, as if you were riding on mountain bike tires. And yet, with the TRABUCO 10, we have a shoe that is not blocking on stable portions of road while having an excellent grip on wet surfaces and slabs.
We Rock Sport Who is it for?
T.L. It's a fairly versatile shoe, which can be adapted to all types of runners, but not necessarily for the same needs. The elite runner will take it for a longer race category where he is looking for a little more comfort. A beginner will appreciate it if he wants a hyper technical product, while being well protected. It is an ideal shoe to progress in the discipline.
