Adam Bowden finished eleventh in the elite men’s race at the ETU Triathlon European Championships in Alanya, Turkey, after all three of Britain’s junior men finished in the top six in the elite junior race.

Bowden had a tough day, missing the front pack after the swim but was reflective on his performance following a heavy block of training.

He said: “'I didn't have a great swim and it was tough after that, but if eleventh is a bad day then it can't be too bad.”

He added: “My season is going well so far with a big focus on the World Series Grand Final in London, so I've come into this off a big block of training and I'll go back home to refocus now.”

The race was won by Russia’s Ivan Vasiliev in 1hour 42:09. Alessandro Fabian (ITA) was second and Mario Mola (ESP) third.

France claimed gold and silver in the men’s junior race, but Britain’s trio of Marc Austin, Gordon Benson and Grant Sheldon performed well to all finish within the top six.

Austin was the top performer, winning the bronze medal. Benson was fourth and Sheldon sixth after a strong run.

Austin said: “I went pretty hard with 2.5k to go and from then on it was hard work. I wanted to be on the podium, I was racing to try and win it, but I’m still really happy.”

He added: “All three of us are good at all three disciplines and I think that showed today. It will give us more confidence coming into London (World Championships) and having home crowd advantage there.”

Tomorrow sees the Mixed Team Relays as well as the Paratriathlon, where the largest ever British Paratriathlon team will have high hopes.

Results

Men

1. Ivan Vasiliev, RUS, 1:42:09
2. Alessandro Fabian, ITA, 1:42:16
3. Mario Mola, ESP, 1:42:22
11. Adam Bowden, GBR, 1:43:54

Junior men

1. Dorian Coninx, FRA, 52:40
2. Raphael Montoya, FRA, 52:59
3. Marc Austin, GBR, 53:05
4. Gordon Benson, GBR, 53:09
6. Grant Sheldon, GBR, 53:14