World Triathlon

A great mix of newcomers and previous Tiszy winners claimed the podium at today’s 2016 ITU Tiszaujvaros World Cup, with Russian Dmitry Polyanskiy and American Renee Tomlin claiming the golds.

In the men’s race, Igor Polyanskiy - Dmitry’s brother - finished second and local hero Tamas Toth (HUN) completed the podiums, while Ukrainian Yuliya Yelistratova and Russian Elena Danilova finished second and third in the women’s race. 

Women’s review
American Renee Tomlin made it clear why she saved some energy on Saturday’s semifinal right at the beginning of the final when she was first out of the water after the 750m swim. She then led a small group that went all together on the bike course including Erin Dolan (USA), Lindsey Jerdonek (USA), Australian Emma Jeffcoat and Spaniard Anna Godoy.

“It was a great race. The atmosphere was amazing, and I felt really good since the beginning”, said Tomlin, who finished second in her semifinal yesterday.

After leading the swim and the 20km bike segment, Tomlin led the Americans out of T2. However, their small advantage was clearly not enough for the great runners that were behind them.

In the chase group was Danilova and Yelistratova, who set up a really strong pace as they knew that the run was going to decide the race.

“I really have to thank the ones who worked hard with us on the bike, not all of them did so,” claimed Yelistratova after the race.

Danilova, who managed to finish third for her first World Cup podium, was also really grateful to the ones who allowed herself to chase the group on the run.

“We all worked very hard so the distance between the leaders and us was minimum,” she explained. Back 10 seconds at the start of the run, it was just enough time for her and Yelistratova to chase down the Americans.

At the end, Tomlin kept her first position from line to line, stopping the clock first at 1.00.02. Rio-bound Yelistratova crossed the finish line second and Danilova was third.

Men’s review
Russian Dmitry Polyanskiy claimed the top spot on the podium in Tiszy, winning the elite men’s triathlon final followed close by his brother, Igor Polyanskyi. In front of a delighted home crowd, Tamas Toth managed to grab the last spot on the podium.

It was Dmitry’s second win in Tiszy, having won in 2009, while his younger brother was the reigning Tiszy champion until today.

“I am very happy with my race here, and is great to have such a performance just before WTS Hamburg next week and the Olympics in Rio. I worked very hard because I knew my brother was just behind. We worked both all together in the swim and the bike, but then in the run it was up to each one of us,” said Dmitry after the race.

The men’s race was all strategy, with the big favourites getting out of the water almost together and forming a pack of nine bikers taking turns leading the 8 laps. Much to the delight of the local crowds,  Tamas Toth was always in the lead pack.

After the the 20km bike segment, it was all to be decided on the 5km run, with both Polyanskyi brothers taking the lead since the first meters, chased only by Hungarian Toth and Spaniard Cesc Godoy.

Dmitry crossed the finish line alone with almost six seconds over his younger brother, while local Toth crossed the finish line in third place, after leaving Godoy behind on the last lap.

“Last year I finished first but I’m happy that the only one who beat me here is my brother,” said Igor. “This is a very good preparation for Rio, we work together very well and we will keep on improving”.

For Toth this was his first World Cup podium, an excellent preparation as well for the Olympics, to be held this August in Rio.

“The crowd here is just amazing, they kept me going every time I crossed the finish line. It just felt wonderful”.