Mario Mola (ESP) upset the formbooks with a surge for the line that won him gold over South Africa’s Richard Murray at the PruHealth World Triathlon London in Hyde Park. USA’s Gwen Jorgensen was a convincing winner of the women’s race while Britain’s triathletes had mixed fortunes in the fast-paced sprint events.
Only Alistair Brownlee and Javier Gomez have won on this course since the event fist came to London in 2009, but the sprint distance format suited Mola, who sprinted away from South Africa’s Richard Murray and Portugal’s Joao Pereira in the final metres.
Brownlee led for most of the 5km run but Mola always looked fresh. As they approached the final turn to pass the packed spectator grandstand, he made a decisive move.
Brownlee finished fourth, with younger brother, Jonathan, just behind him in fifth. ITU world champion, Javier Gomez finished a further place back in sixth.
However, Brownlee was content with his performance. He said: “I’m happy to be back racing, nothing wrong again.”
He added: “It’s tough at the moment because Mario and Richard keep getting dragged up to us. Obviously I wanted to do better. Hopefully another couple of weeks and I’ll be a bit fitter.”
Finishing fifth, Jonathan Brownlee said: “I’m getting there. Another fifth, not what I want. I keep saying it but my main aim is the Commonwealths.”
Britain had another three men finish inside the top twenty with Aaron Harris 14th, Gordon Benson 16th and Adam Bowden 17th.
Jodie Stimpson went into the women’s race ranked number one, but was carrying an injury from the previous round in Yokohama, where she had five stitches in her foot.
Both she and Helen Jenkins exited the 750m swim lower down the field than expected, and Jorgensen was already up the road in a small pack of cyclists. The lead group managed to stay away and there was no catching the classy runner.
Jenkins dropped her bike in the second transition but recovered with a brilliant run to finish seventh. Stimpson was eleventh but early season wins mean she’s still ranked second in the ITU World Triathlon Series rankings.
British Triathlon Performance Director, Brendan Purcell commented: “We’ve set ourselves a standard, and other people are challenging that standard, but we still know we’re heading in the right direction.”
He added: “In a very hectic sprint race we were able to get five guys in the top twenty which I think is significant. Alistair was a lot closer today, he got to within 80m and didn’t have that full on sprint, but it will come.”
The next round of the ITU World Triathlon Series takes place in Chicago at the end of June with the ETU Triathlon European Championships the previous weekend in Kitzbuhel, where it is hoped that ITU world champion, Non Stanford will be amongst a high quality field.
Results:
Elite men
1. Mario Mola, ESP, 49.46
2. Richard Murray, RSA, 49.47
3. Joao Pereira, POR, 49.49
4. Alistair Brownlee, GBR, 49.52
5. Jonathan Brownlee, GBR, 49.58
14. Aaron Harris, GBR, 50.19
16. Gordon Benson, GBR, 50.21
17. Adam Bowden, GBR, 50.22
38. Mark Buckingham, GBR, 50.58
52. Matt Sharp GBR, 52.23
Elite women
1. Gwen Jorgensen, USA, 54.44
2. Sarah Groff, USA, 55.12
3. Emma Jackson, AUS, 55.19
7. Helen Jenkins, GBR, 55.39
11. Jodie Stimpson, GBR, 00:55.43
14. Vicky Holland, GBR, 55.52
24. Lucy Hall, GBR, 56.29
47. Holly Lawrence, GBR, 58.16
DSQ Lois Rosindale, GBR
DNF Katie Hewison, GBR
