NEWS

Belgium dominates in Mediterranean Championships - not something you often read ...

By Paul Groves | 18 Jul, 2016

Altafulla will host the triathlon in the Tarragona 2017 Mediterranean Games and so it was a great opportunity for the LOC to test the event and for the athletes to get to know the course. While a few thousand spectators, athletes, volunteers and technical officials got thoroughly soaked in the rain-swept afternoon in Hamburg, the spectators, athletes, volunteers and technical officials on the sunny Mediterranean coast enjoyed cloudless skies, warm weather and a great race.

With the sunshine blazing and the beautifully clear Mediterranean waters looking so inviting, it was the women who set off first.

Spain’s Sara Perez Sala led Léa Duchampt FRA out of the water. Désirée Gmür SUI was in clear sight but surrounded by Spanish athletes, all hoping to grab the title.

Out on the bike and it was Perez leading initially but behind her came Gmür, Charlotte Deldaele and Marta Sánchez.

After the snappy climb, the chasing mix of Deldaele, Gmür and Sanchez caught Perez and the four worked together.

Back onto the scorched white roads leading to T2 and Deldaele looked strong and in command.

She led out of T2 with Gmür chasing. The two Spaniards lost valuable time racking their bikes but Perez exploded out onto the run.

It was not going to be easy for any of the leading athletes.

Sanchez and Perez caught up to Deldaele and Gmür stayed close to them, a pace or two behind.

As the heat and speed combined to make it very uncomfortable, it was the two Spanish women and Deldaele who were beginning now to pull away from the Swiss athlete.

Somehow, even with the Spanish crowds screaming at top volume for their athletes, Deldaele was able to find an extra gear and with the finish arch in sight she moved away from the two Spaniards.

She kicked and kicked again and found she had the power to make it home and to take gold.

Perez had just enough left to edge ahead of Sanchez to take silver and the Mediterranean title. Sanchez was being chased by Gmür and Perriard but was comfortably ahead of them and was assured the bronze.

After the race, Deldaele said, “Well I guess no expectations work out the best for me! After bronze and silver medals I finally have my first gold ETU medal. It was awesome, I feel soooooooo happy right now! And Simon De Cuyper also got first place! Guess it’s a Good day at the Belgium office! Thank you, for my team and sponsors who makes International races possible Izegemse Triatlon Club My coach, family and Lovely girlfriend!”


With the sunshine still making to sea look so inviting, the men’s beach start was as exciting as ever.

Francesc Godoy and Nathan Tweedie clocked the best swim times but promising U23 athlete Tweedie was later to pull out of the race following a crash on a sandy corner. A real shame as he was at the front end and in a good group of athletes. Albert Pareno,  Kevin Tarek Viñuela, Andres Cendan Llorens from Spain with Mexico’s Jaime González Buganza were ahead by a small margin with Tweedie and Godoy.

Godoy and Viñuela were now leading, having broken away from the chasing group that contained Tweedie, Cendan, Kjel De Hertog BEL, Gonzalez and Simon De Cuyper BEL, who were just about keeping ahead of a larger group.

The lead did not last long and soon they were joined by the faster moving and larger group. A silver in Holten for László Tarnai HUN showed that now he was on that pack there was a distinct threat to the Spanish. De Hertog and De Cuyper took their turns controlling the pack that had now picked up Félix Duchampt.

The pace of this powerhouse of athletes at the front was impressive and they hit T2 in a massive group. De Cuyper had the best run into transition and behind him came Tarnai, Godoy, Liam Lloyd GBR and then it got crowded. Lloyd was having the race of his life and his sensible positioning in the pack had enabled him to avoid the slips and crashes.

De Cuyper, who has been on great from this year, appeared to have buried the ghosts of Holten. With his race almost won, he stumbled as he entered the finish area, hit the ground and dropped from 1ts to 4th. He focussed at his next race and in appalling weather took the bronze in Tartu.

Now, here in Altafulla he had made a massive statement and had kicked to the front of the race. As the others looked on, he pulled away.

Godoy and Lloyd were being followed by Duchampt but could do nothing to catch the determined Belgian athlete.

De Cuyper’s run was unbeatable.

Godoy had to dig so deep to keep Duchampt behind him to come home and take silver and the Mediterranean title. Duchampt comfortably took the bronze.

Incredibly, the visiting Belgian team had pulled off the double.

For the Mediterranean Championships, the Spanish Women ruled supreme.

For the Men, they shared the honours with France.

For the Spanish Federation this event was a clear signal that they are ready for 2017.

Many thanks to Jean Segovia Menor for his stunning photos. He really captured the atmosphere and no doubt has inspired us for the 2017 event.

We have so far had the Balkan, Baltic and now the Mediterranean Championships. Next up, at the end of August will be the Nordic Championships in Fredericia, Denmark’s most established triathlon city.


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