Spains Javier Gomez opened his 2008 world cup season with a satisfying victory in Mooloolaba today, finishing well ahead of last years winner Brad Kahlefeldt. The 2006 world champion Tim Don made it back to the world cup podium, edging out Kiwi Bevan Docherty for the bronze.
Gomez overcame a surprisingly poor start. After the swim he was in 24th place out of the water and suffered a minor crash early in the bike. But he picked himself up and raced back into contention with the lead pack. After losing down the final stretch to Aussie last year, Gomez didnt leave it up to a sprint this time around. After running together for the first five kilometers, Gomez made his move and broke away from his Aussie rival for the 8th world cup title of his career, moving him into a tie with Aussie great Miles Stewart for 4th all-time. Kahlefeldt couldnt stay with the punishing Gomez pace and dropped back to second. But he was able to hang on for the silver.
I had a horrible swim; probably the worst swim of my life, said Gomez at the finish area. On the second lap of the run I tried (to break away) but Brad (Kahlefeldt) came with me but on the third lap I tried with all my feeling and got away. Its so special to win here in Australia. It is the country of triathlon. I always wanted to win a race here. I was close last year but Brad beat me.
Don rounded out the podium with the bronze, his first world cup medal since a bronze in Salford in 2005. With a fantastic final lap, Greg Bennett came in fifth place; a result he hopes was enough to impress Aussie Olympic selectors. Also in the top ten for the home team was Brendan Sexton, the Under23 world championships silver medalist and 2004 Olympian Simon Thompson. In the much anticipated fight for the final Kiwi Olympic spot, former two-time junior world champion Terenzo Bozzone finished in 14th place, approximately 50 seconds ahead of Shane Reed who finished 25th. But both will have to wait and see what the New Zealand Olympic selectors decide.
2008 Mooloolaba BG Triathlon World Cup
Elite Men Unofficial Results
1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
Gold - JAVIER GOMEZ Spain 1:49:50
Silver - BRAD KAHLEFELDT Australia 1:50:14
Bronze - TIM DON Great Britain 1:50:24
4 - BEVAN DOCHERTY New Zealand 1:50:27
5 - GREG BENNETT Australia 1:50:29
6 OLIVER FREEMAN Great Britain 1:50:34
7 PAUL TICHELAAR Canada 1:50:38
8 - BRENDAN SEXTON Australia 1:50:45
9 - SIMON THOMPSON Australia 1:50:53
10 - KYLE JONES Canada 1:50:58
Full field results will be available here
Click here for womens race report
Click here for more on the Mooloolaba BG Triathlon World Cup
Next Up: the world’s best head to New Zealand for next weekend’s New Plymouth BG Triathlon World Cup.
Click here for the 2008 BG Triathlon World Cup series calendar
Todos los resultados completos estn disponibles aqu
Pulse aqu para ver el reportaje de la carrera femenina
Pulse aqu para ms informacin sobre la Copa del Mundo de Triatln BG de Mooloolaba
Tras esto: la Copa de Mundo de Triatln BG viaja a Nueva Zelanda para la disputa el prximo fin de semana de la Copa del Mundo de Triatln BG de New Plymouth.
Pulse aqu para ver el calendario de las series de la Copa del Mundo de Triatln BG 2008