Mario Mola won the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Chicago, but his Spanish teammate, Javier Gomez was the star, claiming an historic fifth world title. Jonathan Brownlee fought back from injury to finish 12th despite very limited preparation.
Mola had one of the best swims of his life to get into a strong position right from the start. None of the key contenders were able to break away on the flat bike course, but the 10km proved to be an enthralling battled between the Spaniards.
Mola finally broke away with just a few hundred metres to go, but Gomez won the title by virtue of his consistently good performances all season.
He said: “It’s just amazing today. I just couldn’t beat Mario, he was too strong. I felt relaxed, I knew the title was in my pocket.”
Mola finished second overall in the ITU World Series and Frenchman, Vincent Luis, was third.
Brownlee hasn’t raced since May, but targeted this event to mark his return from a femoral stress fracture. He was well placed after the swim and always near the front of the bike pack. However, he lacked the run fitness to stay with the leaders.
He will head into the winter knowing that the injury is behind him and that he can focus winter training.
Adam Bowden was 26th and Mark Buckingham 55th.
British Triathlon Performance Director, Brendan Purcell, said: “Jonny needed a few things to have gone his way to get away on the bike, when he attacked it just wasn’t working for him. Given the timeline, he couldn’t have done much more. It wasn’t that long ago that he was doing nothing at all because of injury.
“The highlight of this championships was the women’s race. Vicky [Holland] and Non [Stanford] were awesome and have met the criteria for Olympic selection. Jodie [Stimpson] and Helen [Jenkins] showed that they have the potential to be the best in the world again too.
“Overall, there have been challenges, but it’s been a good world championships.”
Results: ITU World Triathlon Grand Final, Chicago: 1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run
1. Mario Mola, ESP, 1:44:53
2. Javier Gomez,ESP, 1:44:57
3. Richard Murray, RSA, 1:45:35
12. Jonathan Brownlee, GBR, 1:46:19
26. Adam Bowden, GBR, 1:47:11
55. Mark Buckingham, GBR, 1:50:44
Results: ITU World Triathlon Series
1. Javier Gomez, ESP, 4930 – ITU World Champion
2. Mario Mola, ESP, 4795
3. Vincent Luis, FRA, 4422
11. Jonathan Brownlee, GBR, 2695
14. Alistair Brownlee, GBR, 2340
