The future of French triathlon was continuing to shine bright on Friday evening, as Nils Serre Gehri became the country’s latest young talent to earn the title of Junior World Champion in Torremolinos.
It had been an enthralling race from the horn, and there was nothing to call between seven men on the final lap of the run, before Serre found a massive final push down the blue carpet to the tape. USA’s Reese Vannerson had rolled the dice earlier and pulled clear only for the door to close, eventually holding on for a fine silver, Achille Besson of France with bronze.
Joao Nuno Batista (POR), Marton Kropko (HUN) and Gregor Rasva (EST) were the three athletes first out of the 750m, the trio swim side-by-side as they made the push up the beach towards transition.
Roy Baron, Alex Robin and Reese Vannerson were 12 seconds back, Serre just off them, but up ahead it was Batista first into the saddle onto the 20km bike.
Luxembourg’s David Lang and Spain’s Eneko De Castro Cativiela were also going well, the lead group ten deep at the end of lap one of four.
A big chase pack was trying to get organised behind but finding themselves 25 seconds off the pace. They were joined by Robin after a crash on the fast right-handed descent, but also started to close the gap over the second 10km.
Over the final lap, the chasers had caught on and the pace dropped off, preparations for what was already looking a crackling 5km getting underway.
Flying in and out of T2 it was home crowd favourite Hector Tolsa Garcia with a slender advantage, Serre, Antoine L’hôte and Besson right on him but with just 14 seconds between the top 20 it was anyone’s race, Vannerson among the last out onto the run course.
But the American and Kropko started to go through the gears to close in on the Spaniard and took to the front, a seven-deep group forming that rolled as one mass at the halfway point.
Kropko made a push down the final long straight before Vannerson took control, only Serre able to go with him, but the sprint started early, Serre detonating, Vannerson unable to respond, and the Frenchman securing a huge win on a memorable afternoon in the Spanish sunshine.
It was silver to go with his Montreal bronze for Vannerson, Besson the bronze, David Lang fourth and Tolsa fifth ahead of Kropko and Batista.
For the full results, click here.
