Sergio Silva (POR) displayed all the skills required in a Sprint Distance Duathlon as he powered home at the ETU Powerman European Sprint Distance Duathlon Championship in Horst aan de Maas.

Silva was one of the most experienced athletes on the start line and it showed as the former U23 European Champion led from the front in the 5km run/20km bike/2.5km run course. In the early stages he was joined by U23 athlete Alberto Della Pasqua, who maintained an impressive steady pace throughout the race.

Silva was first out of T1 onto the bike and he never looked back. Behind him the field was knitted close together and only a matter of seconds separated each of the top eight athletes, which included Della Pasqua, Francois Humblet (BEL), Gert Van Poucke (BEL) and Emile Blondel, as they exited T2.

It was a final 2.5km sprint to narrow the top eight down to the three podium spots and with Silva in great form out in front it was left to the athletes behind him to battle for the two remaining medal positions.

In the end, Humblet continued Belgium’s success here in Horst with second place and Della Pasqua was rewarded for his fine start and brave performance with third place and a bronze medal.

A thrilled Sergio Silva said: “It was a difficult race because I normally race longer distance races. I had to change my tactics and there many surprises on the course.

“I had some difficulty on the bike but this is a very good result for me.”