Katie Hewison goes to the ITU Duathlon World Championships in Nancy, France this weekend looking to defend the world title she won in Gijon last year. She is part of a GE Great Britain Team that includes former ITU Triathlon World Champion, Tim Don.
Hewison faces the silver and bronze medallists from 2011. Jenny Schulz (GER) and Sandra Levenez (FRA) will both take the start line. Schulz held the lead last year, having overtaken Hewison in the closing stages, only to be passed once again by an inspired Hewison who summoned the energy for a final push to the finish tape.
Hewison said: “I’ve had a good summer and I’m looking forward to the challenge of going to the World Duathlon Championships as the defending champion.
“Last year’s event was so exciting with the lead changing late in the run. Crossing the line first was an amazing feeling, and I hope that things go well again for me and the rest of the team this year.”
Tim Don has previously stated his intention to race at the ITU Duathlon World Championships, but has been unable due to diary clashes. He could challenge to be the first British male winner since Paul Amey in 2007.
Mark Buckingham and Phil Wylie will be strong British contenders. Roger Roca Dalmau (ESP) starts as defending champion and last year’s silver and bronze medallists, Victor Del Corral Morales (ESP) and Benoit Nicolas (FRA), are also racing.
ETU Duathlon European Champion, Richard Horton, has his sights on the podium, as will ETU Junior Triathlon Champion, Georgia Taylor-Brown and ETU Junior Duathlon silver medallist, Georgina Schwiening.
Age-Group start lines will be dominated by Great Britain and France on Sunday. The GE Great Britain Age-Group team contains twelve medallists from last year’s World Championships, including four gold medallists.
Gillian Palmer won gold in the 30-34 age-group last year, Hillary Ross won the 55-50 age-group and Elspeth Knott won the 60-64 age-group. They all return this year along with Stuart Hall, who won the 45-49 world title last year.
GE Great Britain Elite Team
Elite women (Saturday 22 September, 1pm UK time)
Katie Hewison
Elite men (Saturday 22 September, 4pm UK time)
Philip Wylie
Mark Buckingham
Tim Don
Junior men (Saturday 22 September, 11am UK time)
Liam LLoyd
Calum Johnson
Richard Horton
Junior women (Saturday 22 September, 9.30am UK time)
Georgina Schwiening
Georgia Taylor-Brown
Elite Paratriathlon (Saturday 22 September, 7am UK time)
Haseeb Ahmad
Iain Dawson
Adrian Howden
