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3 challenges – 3 sports – 3 years

“If you’re in great physical shape, you’re also going to perform better professionally. And sport is a great way of bringing teams together.”  Pierre Guirard, CEO

 

In 2018, WYZ Group launched The Big Challenge and asked all its employees to take part in a triple sporting challenge: three sports in three years to convey three values ​​that they can’t shake off.

 

From 2018 to 2020, the entire WYZ team is invited to take part in a bespoke triathlon. Combining swimming, cycling and running, the WYZ Triathlon is like no other and has just one mantra: discipline, determination and perseverance.

2019: the WYZ Bike Challenge

From September 8 to 21, 2019, the WYZ Team will cross France by mountain bike, in relay over 14 stages. Starting in Lille and ending in Nice, WYZ cyclists will cover a total of nearly 1,600 kilometres.

 

Each stage will cover an average of 120 kilometres, and will allow WYZ teams to discover local delicacies along the way. Clients, suppliers and partners will also have the chance to support the teams at certain stages – and medical supervision will be in pace, of course!

To best prepare for this challenge, all WYZ Group employees who chose to participate (50% of the total workforce) will have undertaken ten months of twice-weekly training (one group session and one individual session).

To oversee this challenge, WYZ once again welcomes its team of prestigious coaches:

  • Trainer: Sébastien DESMETTRE, former high-level triathlete
  • Guide: Stéphane LECAT, the spearhead of the overall project
  • Prestigious patron: Florian ROUSSEAU, triple Olympic medallist and ten times world champion in track cycling
  • Doctor: Laurent BOIDIN

2018: the WYZ Swim Challenge

In September 2018, the WYZ Team completed its first challenge: the “WYZ Swim Challenge”. This first leg of the triathlon “made by WYZ” was to swim to Quiberon in Belle-Île-en-Mer, which involved 15 km at sea and a crossing of 6 hours 15 minutes.

 

The 17 employees participating in this challenge were divided into 3 teams and received the support of two captains of choice:  the open water swimming champions, Aurélie Muller and Marc-Antoine Olivier.

 

On the coaching side, this epic event would not have been possible without two outstanding coaches: Stéphane Lecat, Director of Development and Team France in open water swimming, and Sébastien Desmettre, former high-level triathlete and now talented coach.

 

“I’ve trained young people who had the ambition to win, and I found that same state of mind at WYZ Group.”  Sébastien Desmettre

The patron of our challenge was Philippe Croizon, the great figure of the disabled sport world. He was there to talk about his past success, but also to advise and support our team in this great adventure.

 

A former worker, Philippe Croizon became an athlete as a challenge after a serious accident resulted in him having all four legs and arms amputated. Despite his handicap, he has multiple sporting achievements: he swam across the English Channel in September 2010, and swam four straits separating five continents over 100 days in August 2012. He also took part in the Dakar Rally in 2017.

 

Frequently asked to speak about his disability and achievements, he also engages in activities as a columnist in various media and as a speaker for corporate events. He has already spoken at some of WYZ’s big annual events, and everyone recalls the incredible cocktail of energy and emotion he delivered to us, and always with such generosity.

 

His courage, determination and humour were an unparalleled example to motivate the WYZ Team.

2020: the WYZ Run Challenge

The third and final stage of our triathlon will be every bit as amazing!

Running will be the theme of our next sporting year, but the exact content of this future WYZ Group sports challenge remains a well-kept secret.

For the time being, we suggest focusing on 2019 and the WYZ Bike Challenge!