Europe Triathlon

The charming town of Cremona hosts the first European Sprint Cup of the year, the third edition of this pulsating race.

This promises to be an intriguing race for a variety of reasons. Alongside the experienced Elite Athletes will be the core of younger athletes who make up the new ETU athlete scholarship fund.

A number of young athletes have been given wild cards by the ETU to compete here and those from smaller Federations have been given grants to travel to the race and compete in the first stage of the development fund.

Charlotte Deldaele, Jelle Geens (both BEL), Michal Achczynski (POL), Kars Eijsink (NED), Kristian Blummenfelt, Lotte Miller and Jørgen Gundersen (all NOR) , Ivana Kuriackova, Matija Meden (both SVK), Kaidi Kivioja (EST), Bob Haller (LUX) Emil Stoynev and Hrista Stoyneva (both BUL) have all been given different levels of support from the ETU to compete in this race.

Renato Bertrandi, President of the ETU, said: “As part of our development strategy for the next Olympic cycle, the ETU is committed to creating more opportunities for athletes, particularly from developing Federations, to make the start line of an International race.

“Our main focus is to bridge the gap between the Juniors and U23 athletes and the top performing elites.

“Following their outstanding performances in 2012 we offered a number of younger athletes competition grants to compete in Cremona. I am delighted to see them on the start line in Cremona and excited to see how they perform. I hope that this experience will be a big step for their future development and successful triathlon career.”

But these younger athletes will certainly have their work cut out if they are to make an impact on the top ten, such is the experience and talent amongst the Elite athletes.

In the Women’s race, Australian Tamsyn Moana-Veale adds global appeal and pedigree. She finished second last year.

Rebecca Robisch (GER) also recorded a podium finish last year with third place and will be amongst the favourites here and she should at least match last year’s achievement. Another German, 2011 European Junior Champion Hanna Philippin, will be one to watch

The Brits have had a lot of success at Cremona in the past with a double victory for Tom Bishop and Lois Rosindale last year and Todd Leckie made the podium in 2011. Katie Hewison may offer the best chance of continuing that trend this week.

In the Men’s race, Daniel Hofer (ITA) was the winner in the first Cremona Sprint in 2011 but finished 22nd in 2012. On home soil once again, he will be looking to replicate 2011’s form.

German duo Stefan Zachaeus and Justus Nieschlag will provide a threat. The improving Zachaeus just missed out on a first career podium in Quarteira with 4th place and Nieschlag is the 2011 European Junior Champion.

Ron Darmon (ISR) is in good form after a strong performance in the Asian Cup race in Chizhou last month.

The ITU Cremona European Sprint Cup is a 750m swim/ 20km bike/ 5km run race and follows the same course as previous editions.

The swim will be in the Porto Canale, a reservoir just outside the city where there will also be the first transition area for the change from swim to bike. The cycling route takes a short transfer from Porto Canale in a city circuit, to be repeated 4 times, passing through the central Stradivari’s Square where the second transition area is situated for the change from bike to run, and the finish line.

The last discipline will be run by three passages in a multi-lap circuit that will take athletes in the central pedestrian streets of Cremona and under the symbol of the city: the Torrazzo.

The Italian Federation and the LOC will offer live text commentary, including pictures, of the ITU Cremona European Sprint Cup. This will be available on the website www.federtriathlon.it. 

For more information on the ITU Cremona European Sprint Cup, visit the event page here.

RACE INFORMATION:

Sunday, 9th June 2013

Elite Women Start List, 0900 start

Elite Men Start List, 1200 start