A sun-baked World Triathlon Cup Arzachena saw 57 elite women line up for one of the toughest sprint-distance courses ever seen on the circuit, and it was to be Marlene Gomez-Islinger’s day as the German timed her final-lap push perfectly to earn a career-first World Triathlon Cup gold.
Switzerland’s Julie Derron had looked
in total control out of second transition and onto the run, but was caught and
passed with just a few hundred metres to go, while behind her Verena Steinhauser
had moved her way into the medals and a second successive bronze on this
course.
“I tried to run very conservatively
and had enough energy towards the end to do a good sprint finish,” said a
thrilled Gomez-Islinger. “The girls gave me a hard time on the hill but I’m
proud of myself for what I did today and I put together a perfect race.”
There were familiar faces leading the
way in the water as the swimmers reached the first buoy, Vittoria Lopes (BRA)
slicing through the water with Zsanett Bragmayer (HUN) and Helena Carvalho
(POR) in close company.
As they came back onto the beach and
swung round onto the sand and up into transition, Lotte Miller (NOR) and Lena
Meissner (GER) were right in check with that lead group, Gomez-Islinger with
Therese Feursinger (AUT) and Lizeth Rueda Santos (MEX) 20 seconds back, the
likes of Barbara Riveros (CHI), Kaidi Kivioja (EST) and Lisa Tertsch (GER) with
more ground to make up.
Steinhauser, Carvalho and Audrey
Merle (FRA) were the first to attack the hill, but they were quickly caught and
a 12-strong pack formed and then strung out on the first descent.
Miller was going well on the second
climb but then losing precious ground on the descent, and Steinhauser looked
the most comfortable negotiating her way back through transition at the bell.
Riveros had moved up to the leaders by now, also including Derron, Lopes and
World Cup debutant Emma Lombardi (FRA) in the now nine-deep group.
That was how things stayed for lap
three but it was Derron moving into pole and emerging from transition still
looking fresh despite the heat. Bragmayer was still in check at this stage too,
Merle right on the Swiss shoulder.
Ten seconds back, though, it was
Gomez-Islinger who started to move into position on the first 2.5km lap. Derron
was composed and barely glanced back until the bell sounded. Then at the 4km
mark, the gap that had hardly changed for most of the run started to close.
Fresh from the German team trials in midweek, Gomez-Islinger was clearly in the
flow once again and as the grandstand came into view, Derron was caught.
From that point on there could be no
doubt of the winner, taking the long turn towards the chute with daylight
behind and finally the tape with 10 seconds over the Swiss and relief and
delight across her face. It was a first ever podium at this level for the
German, and another important step towards Tokyo for Derron, while Steinhauser
held on for a second successive bronze.
Audrey Merle hung on for fourth
place, Bragmayer fifth, with a brilliant debut sixth place for Lombardi.
Riveros, Tertsch, Carlotta Missaglia (ITA) and Alberte Kjaer Pedersen (DEN)
completed the top ten.
“I had a quick transition, went for
it and then never looked back. I knew the girls from behind were coming strong
so I just kept pushing and never looked back,” said Julie Derron. “It will be a
dream of mine (to be selected for the Tokyo team). Most of my training squad
will be there as well. I hope today is a big step for being selected for
Tokyo.”
“This race is always hard, even
harder than last year,” said Steinhauser. “There was a little bit of wind on
the bike and the girls were so good. I kept pushing and pushing on the hill. I
had some difficulties in T2 and I lost some time, but I am so happy. To perform
so well in Arzachena gives me confidence for Leeds next week.”
Results: Elite Women
1.Marlene Gomez-Islinger GER 01:00:51
2.Julie Derron SUI 01:00:55
3.Verena Steinhauser ITA 01:01:09
4.Audrey Merle FRA 01:01:17
5.Zsanett Bragmayer HUN 01:01:22
ABOUT WORLD TRIATHLON
World Triathlon is the international
governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of triathlon and all
related multisport disciplines around the world, including duathlon, aquathlon,
cross triathlon and winter triathlon. Triathlon made its Olympic debut in
Sydney 2000, with a third medal event, the Mixed Team Relay, added to the
programme at Tokyo 2020, while paratriathlon was first added to the Paralympic
programme at Rio 2016. World Triathlon is proudly committed to the development
of the sport worldwide, with inclusion, equality, sustainability and
transparency at our core as we seek to help triathletes at all levels of the
sport to be extraordinary.
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