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Benson fifth in U23 world champs as junior race becomes duathlon

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Gordon Benson finished fifth in the ITU World Championships following a close-fought battle on the run, which was eventually won by Jacob Birtwhistle of Australia. Bad weather then rolled in, meaning the juniors had a long delay and raced a duathlon instead of triathlon.

All three British athletes, Benson, Chris Perham and Marc Austin were well positioned after the 1500m swim and formed part of a huge lead group of 29 athletes on the bike.

By the time they started the 10km run there were 41 athletes in contention, but a lead group of five, including Benson, quickly emerged and stayed together. Benson briefly lost touch with the group after two laps, but caught up and said he felt smooth until the final mile, when the eventual medal winners kicked away.

He said: “I tried to get the bronze and I committed to it. Unfortunately I didn’t do it. With a lap to go the Spanish guys went and I didn’t have the gear I needed to go with it.”

Chris Perham, who stepped up from being a junior last year, finished 26th after a great swim and strong bike leg. Marc Austin has had a tough season with injury but battled to 33rd position.

The men’s junior race featured Sam Dickinson, Ben Dijksra, Jimmy Kershaw and George Goodwin. It was start at 4.30pm in Chicago, but a severe storm rolled in and delayed the start by more than 90minutes. It was also announced that due to safety concerns, the race would be a sprint duathlon over 5km run, 20km bike and 2.5km run.

Dijkstra is the reigning Olympic Youth Champion was the top Brit, finishing eighth against older competitors racing in this under 20 age group. Results are below and there are photographs available via our Facebook page.

Visit facebook.com/britishtriathlon for more photographs and exclusive video interview with Gordon Benson.

Results: U23 World Championships, Chicago: 1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run
1. Jacob Birtwhistle, AUS, 1:40:51
2. David Castro Fajardo, ESP, 1:41:05
3. Nan Oliveras, ESP, 1:41:15
4. Kevin Mcdowell, USA, 1:41:38    
5. Gordon Benson, GBR, 1:41:56
26. Chris Perham, GBR, 1:43:57
33. Marc Austin, GBR, 1:45:11

Full results: http://www.triathlon.org/results/result/2015_itu_world_triathlon_grand_final_chicago/272200

Results: Junior World Championships, Chicago: 5km run, 20km bike, 2.5km run
1. Manoel Messias, BRA, 51:50
2. Peer Sönksen, GER, 51:51
3. Léo Bergere, FRA, 52:01
8. Ben Dijkstra, GBR, 52:20
20. George Goodwin, GBR, 54:01
58. Jimmy Kershaw, GBR, 59:10
DNF Sam Dickinson

Full results: http://www.triathlon.org/results/result/2015_itu_world_triathlon_grand_final_chicago/272184

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