Marc Austin and Gordon Benson won silver and bronze behind Frenchman, Dorian Coninx in the Under 23 World Championship race in Edmonton, Canada.
Austin stepped up from junior silver last year to U23 silver, covering double the race distance but repeating the result, as he also finished second to Coninx last year in London. Benson moved himself up from fifth junior last year to third U23 this year.
Austin and Benson, who are both 20 years-old, were safely in the top ten after the swim along with Grant Sheldon. The three British athletes stayed near the front of the bike leg throughout the 40km distance before starting the 10km run.
Austin said: “It’s good to step up. We were both top five last year in the juniors. To step up and do it in the under 23s just a year later is pretty good.”
Commenting on the French winner, he said: “He ran the whole race on the front so he deserved it. He broke me on the last lap and I couldn’t do anything so fair play to him.”
Adding that he was worried about is run form prior to the race, he commented: “I was anxious about it just because I hadn’t showed anything all year. It was just good to finally put a run together.”
Benson was pleased to win bronze after finishing outside the medals last year in Hyde Park.
He said: “It wasn’t much fun last year. It was great to see my mates get on the podium, but sat in the crowd, it not where you want to be. I got my turn and I’m just happy to be here.”
Grant Sheldon finished 16th, unable to find the brilliant form that he’s showed all season, including 12th place at the ITU World Triathlon Series race in Auckland and 13th in Yokohama. An injury after the Commonwealth Games, where he finished seventh, meant that he couldn’t hit his best form in Edmonton.
Austin, who lives and trains with Sheldon said: “It’s been a rush to get back for this. He had some great races at the start of the season so he’s there with us but it’s unfortunate the way this worked out.”
The U23 men are due to feature in a mixed relay on Monday along with Lucy Hall and Sophie Coldwell.
Results U23 men:
1. Dorian Coninx, FRA, 1:53:06
2. Marc Austin, GBR, 1:53:20
3. Gordon Benson, GBR, 1:53:30
16. Grant Sheldon, GBR, 1:55.26
