Thomas Cardin: “This CCC will help me prepare for next year’s UTMB”

Thomas, why did you choose to race the CCC after Western States?

I was supposed to run the CCC last year, but I turned it down to focus on the World Championships, which were held at the end of the season. So I’d actually been planning to race this one for two years. This year, the CCC is about putting the finishing touch on the great season I’ve had in 2026 by trying to be as competitive as possible, which means trying to win the race. It’s also part of preparing for what comes next, because I’d like to run the UTMB next year. The CCC is the first step in that UTMB project.

So next year, you’ll be attempting the Western States-UTMB double?

Yes, and I won’t be the first to attempt that combination. But next year, I think the UTMB will be more about discovering the race. Performing at the UTMB is a long-term project. I’m not in a rush. I’m 30, and when I see Ludovic Pommeret still motivated and performing at his age, I tell myself I have time. Over this distance, experience can sometimes count for more than physical freshness and youth.

You moved up to the 100-mile distance fairly quickly and have already had a demanding season. Is that a concern heading into the CCC?

That’s one of the unknowns surrounding this year’s CCC. I’ve raced quite a lot since the start of the year, and even since early December last year. This will be my fourth ultra of more than 100 km, and because it’s my first year racing such long distances, it’s hard to judge how fully I’ve recovered from those efforts. My training sessions have gone well, with plenty of climbing and time in the mountains, but I don’t know whether my body will hold up through 10 hours of intense, sustained effort. We’ll find out soon enough, and we’ll learn from it for next year too.

I don’t want to take unnecessary risks either, and I think I’ll leave the risk-taking to the others.

How has your body responded so far?

I feel fit. I’ve recovered well from Western States, and I’ve had good sensations for almost six months. I got injured at the start of the year, and a few minor injuries followed on from the initial one, but I managed to get back to the point where I’m pain-free. I had a really good build-up, spending many hours in the mountains, so I’m confident heading into this CCC. But I won’t be taking too many risks. I’m not going to push for the limit; I just want to run as clean a race as possible.

Does succeeding at your first Western States take some of the pressure off this CCC?

Let’s say my season is already a success, whatever happens. But the CCC is a major race, one of the most competitive 100 km events of the year, and it’s going to be incredible, so I can’t wait to get started. If I win, it will be the icing on the cake. But if things don’t go my way, I’ll still be happy with my season, during which I’ve learned and achieved a lot. I’m going in with plenty of confidence, not necessarily in my ability to win, but in my ability to manage 10 hours of effort and put in an international-level performance over this distance. I don’t want to take unnecessary risks either, and I think I’ll leave the risk-taking to the others. I’ll just focus on being smart.

© UTMB

On the contrary, doesn’t having already achieved so much this season put extra pressure on you?

In 2024, I’d already had a great season. I went from one success to another, and honestly, the pressure doesn’t increase each time. It’s more that confidence builds, creating a virtuous circle, and on race day you can sometimes feel invincible, or incredibly strong. I’m going into this CCC with a lot of confidence in my abilities, without thinking I’m stronger than the others. I simply know I’m capable of running 100 km fast in the mountains. And if someone is stronger than me on Friday, then great for them. I’ll be genuinely happy for them, and happy to learn from someone better than me.

Benjamin Roubiol will also be one of the contenders for the win. What do you make of that?

I’m really happy to see him again. I like him a lot, we’re friends, and I haven’t raced with him this year. I know he shares the same values as me, and that we can have a great race together because our levels are very similar. We both see the other as someone who helps us go beyond ourselves, rather than an obstacle on the way to victory.