Jorik Van Egdom stormed to victory in front of a passionate home crowd in Horst as he won the ETU Powerman European Sprint Distance Duathlon Championship title.
The Dutchman finished ahead of Liam Lloyd (GBR) and Genis Grau (ESP) to claim his first International title after so many heart-breaking near misses.
Last year, Van Egdom finished just four seconds behind Richard Horton, having admitted to thinking he was in a winning position. And in Quarteira earlier this month, he was pipped by less than a second by Raphael Montoya.
But Van Egdom banished those memories with an exquisite performance – and claimed victory with a huge cushion of over 40 seconds.
Van Egdom was never far away from the lead pack after a tight opening run. But, alongside Max Biewer, they pushed hard on the bike to establish a lead as a front two.
Van Egdom exited transition in first place and nothing would cost him victory as he powered through the final lap, before eventually slowing to take the adulation of his home crowd.
The real battle was behind him. Biewer had looked comfortable in second place and a chase pack of seven athletes all looked to be fighting for third.
But Biewer tired badly on the final run which allowed the explosive Lloyd and Grau to catch and pass him.
The duo continued their sprint right up until the last few metres but Lloyd just pipped the Spaniard for silver.
Van Egdom said: “I am really happy, it was a great race for me. Last year I finished second and I thought that won’t happen again, I wanted to win.
“The race started quickly with a big group of fast runners but I thought I could do well on the bike. I got a breakaway with Biewer and it was just the two of us and I finished fast.”
On posting the fastest run time of the day to secure second place, Lloyd said: “I felt really strong coming off the bike. I knew there were a few guys behind me and that I needed to keep pushing on.
“After half way on the final lap I managed to get a break and get into second and I just managed to hold him (Grau) off.”
