Monday morning race recap

by Erin Greene on 05 May, 2014 10:41 • Español

There aren’t many weekends without a World Triathlon Series or World Cup race on the schedule, but this weekend was one of them. Not to worry, there was still plenty of global triathlon action going on, with selections for European Championships and Youth Olympic Games both on the line.

Antalya ETU European Cup

For the second year in succession, the Russian athletes swept to victory in Antalya as Alexander Bryukhankov and Arina Shulgina claimed victory at the ETU European Cup. In the Women’s Elite race, Arina Shulgina defended her title from last year and led home a Russian podium ahead of Elena Danilova and Alexandra Razarenova. Shulgina’s victory was the result of pure guts and determination, having left T1 some twenty-five seconds behind the leading bike group. Gradually, over the 40km ride, the gap was closed and she exited T2 to dominate the run and go into the history books as back to back ETU European Cup winner in Antalya.

In the men’s race Andrey Bryukhankov and Ivan Tutukin sandwiched France’s Dorian Coninx on the Elite Men’s podium, with seven Russians in total finishing in the top ten. The first lap saw Russian domination with Igor Polyanskiy leading Bryukhankov out of the water. Denis Vasiliev was just behind him followed by Andrey, the younger Bryukhankov and a hatless Coninx. That leading group set out on the bike and over the first few laps increased their lead to over a minute before the wind picked up and reduced that lead to 45 seconds as they approached T2.

Out on the run Alexander Bryukhankov burst out of transition and extended his lead to 20 seconds but Coninx was hanging onto the chasing Russians. A stunning performance from Tutukin saw him catch up the lead group on the run and having battled from the chase pack he will be delighted to secure a podium finish.

Monterrey PATCO Triathlon American YOG Qualifier

Monterrey was an important qualifying event for young PATCO athletes, making the race a frenetic fight to the end. In the women’s race, Stephanie Jenks came from behind on the final discipline with a monster run split to edge out teammate Taylor Knibbs by just five seconds in a time of 59:55. Knibbs nabbed second in 1:00:00. Emily Wagner clenched bronze nearly two minutes later in 1:01:52. Mexico’s Jessica Romero earned her berth to Nanjing as the top women from her country to cross the line in fith.

In the men’s race, Seth Rider sat with the pack until the final 5km run at which point he catapulted ahead to take the title in 54:43. Canada’s Charles Paquet held off American Austin Hindman just long enough to cross over in second, leaving Hindman to round out the podium.

With files from David Peddie

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