NEWS

Europe Triathlon Cups in Caorle: great launch of Rising Stars and spectacular performances

By media@europe.triathlon.org | 17 May, 2023

What a spectacle on Saturday, 13th May, in Caorle for the Europe Triathlon Junior Cup and the Europe Triathlon Cup. The second day of the international competition organized by Silca Ultralite Vittorio Veneto, with the support of Europe Triathlon, Italian Triathlon Federation and the Municipality of Caorle, and under the patronage of the Veneto Region, was filled with competitive spirit, enthusiastic spectators, and plenty of sport.

In the elite category, after fiercely contested races, the winners were England’s Connor Bentley (ahead of his compatriot Ben Dijkstra and France’s Valentin Morlec) and Germany’s Selina Klamt (ahead of England’s Sian Rainsley and Spain’s Cecilia Santamaria Surroca). The junior race saw a splendid third victory in three editions of the Caorle competition for the eighteen-year-old Italian Euan De Nigro (with France’s Nils Serre Gehri and Pablo Isotton trailing). In the women’s race, the winner was 15-year-old Hungarian Fanni Szalai (followed by France’s Manon Laporte and Ilona Hadhoum). The juniors were surprised by exclusive athlete kits prior to the races linked with the Rising Stars project (www.risingstarstri.com), that then could be seen worn around the race course during the days of competition. If you missed any of the action, you can rewatch the full races on our YouTube channel.

Women’s Junior Race

The intense race day started at 13.30 with the Junior women’s category. After a 300-meter swim, Laporte, Szalai, and England’s Whitaker emerged in a tight group. During the 9.5 km bike ride, the lead alternated among the athletes. However, Italy’s Alice Alessandri made a swift transition into the final 1.9 km run, being the fastest in the bike-to-run transition. Shortly after, the 15-year-old Hungarian Szalai took the lead and gradually increased her advantage, ultimately raising her hands in victory under the finish line on Corso Venezia.

Men’s Junior Race

The first to emerge from the waters of the Adriatic Sea was Hungary’s Zalan Hobor. Euan De Nigro took the lead in the first lap of the cycling race, setting a formidable pace. A dozen athletes, including the fast Italian Espuna Larramona, entered the transition zone for the second transition, with Hobor being the fastest. However, at the end of the race, it was once again Euan De Nigro, securing victory for the third time in Caorle.

Elite Women’s Race

The elite women’s race saw Vermeylen, Denizot, Rainsley, and Klamt leading after a 750-meter swim. However, the final rush saw Germany’s Klamt outpacing the competition, beating England’s Sian Rainsley and Spain’s Cecilia Santamaria Surroca to claim victory.

Elite Men’s Race

The men’s race commenced at 18.00. After the 750-meter swim, Germany’s Henry Graf, flanked by Italy’s Nicolò Strada and Alessio Crociani, were the first to emerge. However, the final sprint was dominated by England’s Connor Bentley, leaving behind his compatriot Ben Dijkstra and France’s Valentin Morlec to secure his first win in Italy.

Mixed Team Relays

The Europe Triathlon Cup in Caorle witnessed a thrilling victory for the Hungarian team, with Fanni Szalai, the fourth relay runner, crossing the finish line first on Corso Venezia. Following her individual win, the 15-year-old Hungarian raised her arms in victory for the second time in the mixed junior relay race, the final event of the competition.

The event, held in the waters, on the beach and streets of Porto Santa Margherita and Altanea, showcased an exhilarating battle between nations. France took second place, with Italy following closely in third. The morning had been dedicated to the under 20s, paving the way for the 560 Age Group Triathlon Sprint Rank Gold Città di Caorle. Francesca Crestani (Valdigne Triathlon) triumphed, followed by Laura Ceddia (Raschiani Triathlon) and Elisa Marcon (Cus Propatria Milano Triathlon). The men’s race was won by Federico Spinazzè (Silca Ultralite Vittorio Veneto), followed by Giovanni Pavanello (Eroi del Piave) and Alberto Bartolomeo Demarchi (Cuneo 1198 Triteam).

The mixed junior relay race of the Europe Triathlon Cup began at 9 a.m. with the first relay runners of the 32 competing teams diving into the water for the initial swim stage (300 meters). The early leaders were Hungarian Hobor and Italians De Nigro and Giovannini. They were soon caught up by Great Britain, France, and the two Spanish teams.

As the competition progressed, the lead changed several times, with Italian Alessandri, French Handhoum and Pommè, and Hungarian Szalai among those taking turns at the front. The turning point of the race came during the final transition from cycling to running. Szalai managed to overtake France’s Manon Laporte, crossing the finish line first, followed by Laporte and Italy’s Sara Crociani.

Riccardo Giubilei, the president of the Italian Triathlon Federation, expressed his satisfaction with the event. “It was a beautiful weekend of races that gave us many emotions with high-level sport - we saw many young and elite athletes from all over Europe competing in a particularly evocative scenario,” he said. He also thanked the Municipality of Caorle, the Fondazione Caorle Città dello Sport, Europe Triathlon, and Silca Ultralite, as well as all the volunteers and those who worked to make this event possible.

Herwig Grabner, a representative of Europe Triathlon and President of the Competition Commission, also praised the event. “We are very satisfied with this Europe Triathlon Cup in Caorle, very well organized, in a location not only beautiful but also easily accessible given its centrality in Europe,” Grabner said. He also noted the high participation in the mixed relay race dedicated to Juniors, with over thirty teams at the start, a real record.

The days were a celebration of sportsmanship, perseverance, and camaraderie. The event was not just a triathlon but a testament to the indomitable spirit of the athletes and the unyielding support of the spectators. The Caorle edition of the Europe Triathlon Cup and Junior Cup has set a high standard, leaving everyone eagerly awaiting the next edition.

Related Event: 2023 Europe Triathlon Junior Cup Caorle
12 - May, 2023 • event pageall results
Results: Junior Men
1. Euan De Nigro ITA 00:24:49
2. Nils Serre Gehri FRA 00:24:54
3. Pablo Isotton FRA 00:25:00
4. Hector Tolsa García ESP 00:25:01
5. Zalán Hóbor HUN 00:25:03
6. Miguel Espuna Larramona ITA 00:25:11
7. Simeone Romano ITA 00:25:12
8. Jesús Vela Vela ESP 00:25:14
9. Lawrence Martindale GBR 00:25:14
10. Pelayo González Turrez ESP 00:25:19
Results: Junior Women
1. Fanni Szalai HUN 00:27:34
2. Manon Laporte FRA 00:27:42
3. Ilona Hadhoum FRA 00:27:45
4. Léonie Douche FRA 00:27:53
5. Eve Whitaker GBR 00:27:57
6. Margareta Vrablova SVK 00:28:00
7. Alice Alessandri ITA 00:28:05
8. Hasse Fleerackers BEL 00:28:05
9. Alejandra Seguí Soria ESP 00:28:06
10. Marion Latil FRA 00:28:06
Results: Mixed Junior Relay
1. Team I Hungary HUN 01:28:51
2. Team I France FRA 01:28:59
3. Team I Italy ITA 01:30:07
4. Team I Spain ESP 01:30:35
5. Team II Great Britain GBR 01:30:47
6. Team I Germany GER 01:30:52
7. Team I Austria AUT 01:31:27
8. Team I Luxembourg LUX 01:32:16
9. Team I Portugal POR 01:32:23
10. Team I Netherlands NED 01:32:35
Results: Final Junior Men
1. Euan De Nigro ITA 00:24:49
2. Nils Serre Gehri FRA 00:24:54
3. Pablo Isotton FRA 00:25:00
4. Hector Tolsa García ESP 00:25:01
5. Zalán Hóbor HUN 00:25:03
6. Miguel Espuna Larramona ITA 00:25:11
7. Simeone Romano ITA 00:25:12
8. Jesús Vela Vela ESP 00:25:14
9. Lawrence Martindale GBR 00:25:14
10. Pelayo González Turrez ESP 00:25:19
Results: Final Junior Women
1. Fanni Szalai HUN 00:27:34
2. Manon Laporte FRA 00:27:42
3. Ilona Hadhoum FRA 00:27:45
4. Léonie Douche FRA 00:27:53
5. Eve Whitaker GBR 00:27:57
6. Margareta Vrablova SVK 00:28:00
7. Alice Alessandri ITA 00:28:05
8. Hasse Fleerackers BEL 00:28:05
9. Alejandra Seguí Soria ESP 00:28:06
10. Marion Latil FRA 00:28:06
Results: Semifinal 1 Junior Men
1. Hector Tolsa García ESP 00:25:47
2. Rodrigo Pissarra POR 00:25:52
3. Gustavo Do Canto POR 00:25:52
4. Pelayo González Turrez ESP 00:25:53
5. Thomas Hattee GBR 00:25:55
6. Fiorenzo Angelini ITA 00:26:01
7. Ul Denša SLO 00:26:12
8. Mathys Bocquet IRL 00:26:15
9. Poli Stoffel LUX 00:26:17
10. Matteo Radina SUI 00:26:23