Dibens earn hard-earned victories in Abu Dhabi triathlon

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British long distance athletes raced this weekend at the inaugural Abu Dhabi International Triathlon. With temperatures into the mid-thirties, athletes raced over a course including a 3km swim, 200km bike and 20km run.

Great Britain’s Xterra World Champion, Julie Dibens was first in the women’s race (in a time of 7:08.25) with Leanda Cave a close second. Great Britain’s Rachel Joyce was less lucky, cutting her foot badly in T1 and being forced to retire.

Dibens said: "I am very, very happy and exhausted! The course was great but the distance was too long for me really, which, combined with the heat, made things a little bit difficult. The organisation of the race was great and I am definitely looking forward to coming back next year."

Cave said: "The course was crazy hard, especially the bike leg, which is where I really had to push myself through. Abu Dhabi is beautiful though, and even though we were exhausted, I still enjoyed the course."

In the men’s race the winner was Eneko Llanos of Spain with Scotland’s Fraser Cartmell less than 2 minutes behind in a creditable fourth. Dann Brook and Phil Graves managed less well in the heat, coming in 24th and 25th respectively.