Europe Triathlon

The 2019 ETU Multisport Championships did indeed see a huge field of blue uniforms as Team GB descended on the heart of Transylvania, but on the tough course, it was not an easy day for anyone and the medals were spread around the nations.

There was lots of talk about what lived in the forest and, logically, what they do up there.

But the early focus was on the man-made lake, full off frogs. It was a warm 25C, so no wetsuits for any of the categories. Great news for us with cameras, less protection from the frogs and less buoyancy for those whose main strength was on two wheels.

A 1k swim, out and back, was followed by a challenging swim exit (same conditions for everyone) and a short run to a grassy transition area. Out onto the bike course for a short ride past some industrial buildings and up onto a ridge, with a view up to the hills to your right. Back down and through a small residential area before crossing the railway line.

Ah – the railway …. We knew in advance the passenger timetable but unscheduled freight trains, over 500m long, just turn up when they want and are not so easy to stop. So, the timetable was a little disrupted at the start but at least it was not so hot for the Age Group athletes.

Trains gone, course confirmed as clear and it was time for the start.

The ParaTri athletes went off first, followed by the men and finally the women. After the railway line, there was a main road, which was easy to manage with the local police in attendance.

Then, up past the graveyard and under the trees for the seemingly endless climb up and up and up. One athlete checked her Garmin and found that she had a personal record of 800m of climbing for the race.

As the Technical Officials were setting up at 05:30, there were wild noises from within the zoo and passing interest from the hedgehogs and squirrels but once the thrashing noises from the hundreds of athletes filled the forest, the usual inhabitants headed for cover.

T2 was a welcome sight for many who suddenly realised that they would have to go back out under cover of the trees for the final run.

So who defended their Ibiza title and who became a European Champion this year?

In the youngest category (20-24), France celebrated with a gold for Solenne Billouin.

Over the moon with her category and overall win, she shared her experience, explaining how she had a good swim but really enjoyed the run after a tiring bike section. Coming to the race with a title in her sights. Her first ETU/ITU appearance. We want to see more of this athlete who has so much promise. Silver went to the host nation’s Julia Bíró, the 2017 European Champion.

For the men, the defending champion looked calm and collected before the race and truly focussed on the start line. Enrique Terol Perez was not unfamiliar with the course, having raced here as a junior back in 2017. With teammate, Miquel Esteban Saez, runner-up in Ibiza, the pair were always going to be the ones to try and beat. Germany’s Niels Wiegner did his best but against the massive lead created by Terol in the swim, it was an uphill challenge in every sense of the word. The defending champion was utterly dominant and his finish time would have given him a top ten finish in the U23 category. Watch out for him in future.

“Lo hemos vuelto a lograr. Bicampeón de europa de triatlon cross en la categoría 20/24 años. Todo esto no hubiera sido posible sin el apoyo de mi familia y amigos. Gracias a todos por los ánimos ahora a asimilarlo en unas merecidas vacaciones. Por supuesto dar las gracias a mi entrenador, consejero, Tito EMILIO FERNANDEZ RODRÍGUEZ que sin su trabajo esto no va a ningún lugar. Y por supuesto no olvidarnos de todos los exponsor por depositar su confianza en mi.
We’ve done it again. Two-times European champion in cross-triathlon in the category 20/24 years. All this would not have been possible without the support of my family and friends. Thank you all for the encouragement now to let it all sink in on a well-deserved vacation. Of course thanks to my coach and advisor, Tito Emilio Fernandez Rodriguez because without his work this could not have happened. And of course we don’t forget all the sponsors for depositing their trust in me.”

25-29 and a mixed podium saw defending champion, Kerri-Ann Upham renew her acquaintance for gold. Dominant in all three disciplines and almost winning the women’s race outright, she was well clear of any threat by the time she had entered the forest and begun that long climb. Silver went to Germany’s Luisa Kuhn in her first international outing and it was bronze once again for Romania’s Annamaria Bako.

In the men’s race, the 2018 champion from France stayed home and so it was a new title-holder, this time from Spain. Alejandro Pareja Villar. Runner up in Pontevedra on an entirely different course, he attacked from the start and led easily up to the forest. Behind him came Lander Sels BEL, who is proving to be a versatile athlete, with 4th places in both Glasgow and Weert over much flatter courses. Sels, on two wheels, was impressive and at one point his closing pace on the run looked as if he might catch the Spaniard. Bronze went to Javier Megía Ciudad, bringing more cheers from the Spanish supporters. 5th in Ibiza, this is his first podium. Without the technical problems on the 2nd bike lap, when Sels was able to break free, the podium might have been different.

30-34 in the women’s category it was a different race for GB’s Emily Harper. Back in 2017, she managed to win silver despite breaking her arm and having to run with her bike for the final section of the race. A superhuman effort then; an indication of her determination, strength and sheer guts that meant she would come back in 2019 with “unfinished business”. Her swim was solid, her biking flawless and a final run gave her the third fastest finish time of all the female athletes.

“Thank you Romania! Heading home now after an amazing few days. Proud and grateful to have been able to represent team GB at the European cross triathlon championships and earn an age group gold medal and third overall age group female! Also finally vindicated - after having broken my bike in the same event two years ago and having to run part of the bike course, no such issues this time!) Lots of amazing achievements witnessed, inspiring people met and fun had, well done to all.” Silver and bronze went to the hosts, with Kinga Karácsony once again claiming silver and Ágnes Szekeres rejoicing with a bronze in her first international race.

The Men’s race saw a familiar face at the swim start. Ciprian Balanescu ROU, has raced as an elite athlete in the past but following a serious leg injury and a heavy workload as a new dad, he has returned to test his fitness. The swim was led by Poland’s Marek Olszewski but he was soon caught on the bike by both Balanescu and GB’s Ashley de Lotz, who showed real style out on the tough course. For de Lotz, the butterflies were on form and his racing on the Xterra series has prepared him well. A convincing victory ahead of some tough competition and a vast improvement on his 5th here in 2017. Gold to GB, silver to the host natoin and bronze to Poland.

Hayley Down GBR, had a disappointing race in Ibiza after winning the world 35-39 title in Fyn. Setting the record straight in Pontevedra, where she successfully defended her world title, she was completely in control here, with a comfortable win that never looked in doubt. Silver and bronze went to Romania, with Iolanda Dobre in silver and Anisia Bodó in bronze position.

For the men, it was a meeting of old rivals and a thrilling battle that saw Spain’s David Rodríguez López claim the title. 4th in Ibiza, 3rd in Pontevedra, claiming the title here this weekend was well-deserved and won on the swim and run sections.

“Campeonato de Europa de Triatlón Cross. Desde Rumania y con mucha felicidad aprovecho para contaros que soy Campeón de Europa en GGEE de Triatlón Cross. Con una satisfacción increíble pongo un broche más a esta temporada repleta de éxitos y experiencias.  European Cross Triathlon Championships. From Romania and with much happiness I take advantage to tell you that I am Age-Group champion of Europe of cross-triathlon. With an amazing satisfaction I add one more medal to this season full of successes and experiences.” Silver and bronze went to GB, with Rob Perry turning the tables on teammate, Brad Pontin. Both missed the podium in Spain but both celebrated in style in Transylvania and with typical understatement, Pontin said, “Pretty chuffed to make the podium yesterday in the ETU Cross Triathlon European AG Champs.”
PODIUM PIC

In the Women’s 40-44 category, it was great to see Jo Pitten back in form. A 4th in Asiago at the world winter triathlon championships looked like a medal would come her way a couple of weeks later in Cheile Grădiştei but colds and sniffles at that time of the year ruined her plans. No stranger to Transylvania, Pitten claimed bronze here in 2017 but absolutely commanded the race from the start of the swim. Having built a solid lead on the first two segments, she was able to ease up on the run for the title ahead of the 2012 ETU Champion, Natalie Smith and Louise Madge. A clean-sweep for GB.

In the men’s race, it was gold to Václav Zajíc CZE on the first occasion he has represented his country on the ETU circuit. It was neck and neck until the run, with Spain’s Albert Torres Carles. With a bronze in Ibiza, Torres was determined to upgrade and that is exactly what he did. Silver now ahead of the 2018 World Champion, Daniel Mannweiler GER.

Up now to the 45-49 age-group and there was a terrific battle between Spain and Great Britain from the very start. Renell Brennan GB had a two-minute deficit to make up after the swim. Spain’s Beatríz Molina García held on until the final run pace of Brennan became too much. Unable to match the stride of Brennan, it was gold to the Brit and silver to Spain. The pair had met in Ibiza when Molina had beaten her by one place. Bronze went to Mária Szakács who missed out on a medal here in 2017 by one spot.

It was Brennan who checked out the forest ahead of the race and, in case you were ever wondering what bears might do in the forest.


Returning to his favourite course, it was Italy’s Alessandro Bonalumi who renewed his 2013 and 2017 ETU titles with a victory ahead of Austria’s Arthur Winter. Bronze went to winter triathlete, Marco Gallesio ITA boosting the Italian medal tally.

GB’s Team Manager, Marc Preece had not been able to focus too much on the race as his attention was directed at his athletes. Nevertheless, a top five finish and his praise to the Race Director about the bike course. “I am happy with my performance given a few hiccups along the way this year. 5th place isn’t too shabby, 1st place was ex-pro who was absolutely flying. 2nd & 3rd wasn’t even in reach. Extremely tough race course all round with strong competition to mean taking 5th felt good. Privileged to be managing the GB Team again to many golds, silvers and bronzes. Cross Duathlon managing duties now for their race on Tuesday.” Thanks Marc – always good to hear that the athletes had a good race.

Germany’s Diana Mull in the 50-54 age group goes home not with a silver medal, as she did in Ibiza, but with a nice shiny golden one. Her teammate, Sandra Farmand rounded off the podium.

A mightily impressive performance came from Italy’s Gianpietro De Faveri. A former elite athlete, he has continued to impress as an age-group athlete. Undefeated in ETU races since 2017 and the reigning World Champion, he did not look back from the first stroke in the swim. Easily one of the most impressive performances of the day, he had a long wait at the finish area to see who would join him on the podium. It was Switzerland’s Jean-Daniel Roulier who has to settle once more to a silver, his second, on this course. Bronze went to Thomas Hackner, whose recovery was impressive enough to give him a 6th place in the Sprint Duathlon the next day.

55-59 and Austria’s amazing athlete Sabine Greipel claims her third title this year. A gold in the heavy snow of Asiago gave her the World Winter Triathlon title. Bitterly cold conditions in Cheile Grădiştei and she won the ETU title. This time, with by my calculation a difference in temperature of almost 50c (it was minus 20 before the ETU Winter Triathlon and plus 30 when the Cross Triathlon finished), she was in command from the beginning. Runner up in that race was Angela Boczek GER. It was the same result here, with Susanne Apfel GER taking the last position on the podium before she changed her MTB for a road bike and got a top ten finish in the Sprint Duathlon.

Simon Taylor GBR was hoping to defend his title here, having won in Ibiza ahead of teammate, Robert Moore. The pair did not meet in Fyn, where Moore claimed the World title and Pontevedra was a disappointment for Taylor. So, 2019, Transylvania …. Another title?
It was not to be. Out of nowhere came Italy’s Massimiliano Donati. Excelling at swim, bike and run, the Italian romped home to take the title. It was silver to Taylor and bronze to Moore.

It was gold to Rozália Korcsmárosné Víg HUN in the 60-64 Age-Group. GB’s Frances Hooper pulled out after the swim but is enjoying the atmosphere down at poolside as we write.

The Men’s race gave us a mixed podium, with Austria’s Joachim Rathbauer adding this title to his Winter Triathlon one ahead of another winter triathlon specialist, Tino Bettoni ITA. Still enjoying the podium and showing that he is strong over a variety of distances was Welshman Dean Hardie. Now with so much time on his hands he can even undertake some GB Team Management duties, he holds the ETU Middle Distance Duathlon title and with his medal-winning performance this weekend, showed us that despite his preference of not getting his toes wet, he can swim pretty well too.

65-69 saw no female athletes on the start lists. It was Stefano Piolanti ITA who upgraded his bronze in Ibiza adding this win to his world victory earlier this year. Silver went to the runner up in Pontevedra and reigning ETU Winter Triathlon Champion, Jaroslav Balatka CZE. A bronze on this course in 2017 and now silver. The final place on the podium went to the 2018 runner-up, Colin Hunt GBR.

In the final category, 70-74, it was gold once more to Germany’s Steffen-Luis Neuendorff. He has been collecting world and European titles since he first appeared in Jämijärvi in 2012, where he won the World Winter Triathlon title. Since then, he has collected five World titles in Winter Triathlon and Cross Triathlon and six European titles.

For the full results, please click here.

The Cross Triathlon was great fun and a tough race. Congratulations to all those who raced and supported. As the last athletes and their families were leaving the venue, the LOC was beginning to dismantle the racks and finish area in preparation to transport them down to the city centre for the Sprint Duathlon.

Peace and quiet again for the lions and wolves. No rest for the LOC who worked through the night to construct the next event, which was truly impressive.

We will bring you an Age-Group report on the Sprint Duathlon Championships as soon as we can.

For photos – we have a huge amount and they will go up onto the ETU Facebook page but there are already loads on the event page for you to enjoy.

Big thanks to Bereczky Sándor for the great images.