Adam Bowden finished 12th at the ITU World Triathlon Yokohama. In a competitive race that was acting as an Olympic selection trial for many nations, Mario Mola of Spain claimed his third Series win of the season.
Bowden benefited from the work on the bike by Gordon Benson and Tom Bishop, which saw them and Matt Sharp leading for much of the 40km. However, they weren’t able to distance themselves from the huge pack behind and Mola was able to take up the running immediately out of the second transition.
Twelfth was a very solid result for Bowden following on from five years in a row of finishing in Yokohama’s top ten. Matt Sharp finished 26th.
Bishop and Benson finished lower down the field, not focussing on their runs at this event in favour of going for the pilot athlete role to support the Brownlee brothers in Rio. Selections will be announced on 7 June.
Gwen Jorgensen (USA) won the women’s race comfortably from Ashleigh Gentle (AUS) and Ai Ueda (JPN). No British women took part in this round.
The next round of the Series takes place in Leeds on 12 June where all of Britain’s top athletes are hoping to race in front of home crowds at the Columia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds.
Results; ITU World Triathlon Yokohama; 1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run:
Elite men:
1. Mario Mola, ESP, 1:46:27
2. Crisanto Grajales, MEX, 1:46:42
3. Kristian Blummenfelt, NOR, 1:46:45
12. Adam Bowden, GBR, 1:47:24
26. Matthew Sharp, GBR, 1:48:23
49. Thomas Bishop, GBR, 1:53:58
50. Gordon Benson, GBR, 1:54:23
Elite women:
1. Gwen Jorgensen, USA, 1:56:02
2. Ashleigh Gentle, AUS, 1:57:20
3. Ai Ueda, JPN, 1:57:25
