World Champion Emma Pallant heads to Spain to defend her World Championship title as Michelle Dillon returns to the Elite ranks for the first time since 2008. A strong British Age-Group team looks to continue their run of podium success in 2016 over the run-bike-run format
Having had to travel to the other side of the world to race in Adelaide, Australia last year, the Great Britain team will have a much easier journey to the ITU Duathlon World Championships this weekend. Aviles, Spain is the venue for the 2016 championship based in the Asturias region of North West Spain.
Following the huge success of the Great Britain Age-Group team at the ETU Triathlon European Championships in Lisbon this past weekend; a large contingent will be racing over both the Standard and Sprint distance events on Sunday. The course looks set to be primarily flat and fast, the run route following the banks of the river in the centre of Aviles.
One of the favourites for success this weekend will be Gill Fullen (F50-54, Standard). Gill is the defending champion from Adelaide, also winning Gold in 2013 (Ottawa) and 2012 (Nancy). Gill has been in great form this season, recently winning the ETU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon Championships in Copenhagen (where she was also the fastest Age-Group athlete overall), and coming close to breaking the British 50+ record for the marathon, running 2:53:32 in Boston.
Other British athletes racing this weekend who also won Gold in Adelaide, hoping to retain their titles include Elspeth Knott (F65-69, Standard), Claire Steels (F30-34, Standard), Paul Abeledo (M45-49, Sprint) and Andrea Sanders Reece (F60-64, Sprint).
Both the Sprint and Standard distance races take place on Sunday after the Elite and Paratriathlon events on Saturday.
The full Age-Group start list is available on this link: http://www.triathlon.org/events/event/2016_aviles_itu_duathlon_world_championships
Great Britain’s defending World Champion Emma Pallant will start as the favourite for Gold on Saturday. A comfortable winner of the British Elite Duathlon Championships earlier this year, Emma has also been performing well recently with podium success in Spain at Ironman 70.3 races in Mallorca (third) and Barcelona (second).
Emma won’t have to look to far for advice this weekend, as her coach, Michelle Dillon, will also be racing. Sixth in the 2004 Athens Olympics, Michelle retired from Elite competition in 2008 after a successful career due to injury which subsequently required a double fusion of her spine. Returning to competition at 42, Michelle took second place at the British Elite Duathlon Championships to return once again to the British Elite team. The 2005 World Champion is looking forward to this opportunity:
“I'm so excited about this, as I will be racing along side Emma Pallant who is current World Champ and she will be out to defend her title. I on the other hand will be very happy to be there, not something I would usually say but will of course give it my best with my body and old age! Feeling thankful for this opportunity!"
British Elite Men’s Champion Richard Horton will be looking to continue his good form on Saturday. Winner of the Under-23 World Championship in 2013, he also has the opportunity to earn that title again this weekend, with the Senior and Under-23 races running concurrently.
With four individual Duathlon World Championship top ten finishes, the ever-consistent Philip Wylie heads the British Men’s team. Danny Russell, Daniel Jenkin and Carl Avery will join Phil in the Elite Men’s squad.
Look out for the exceptional running prowess of Alex Yee in the Elite Junior race. Fifth last week at the ETU Triathlon European Championships, the absence of the swim could play into his hands if he is in contention starting the final run. British Junior Champions Lewis Byram and Serena O’Connor along with the experienced Kate Waugh complete the Junior squad.
British Elite athletes – Aviles ITU Duathlon World Championships
Elite Men: Philip Wylie, Danny Russell, Daniel Jenkin, Carl Avery
Elite Women: Emma Pallant, Michelle Dillon
Under-23 Men: Richard Horton
Junior Men: Alex Yee. Lewis Byram
Junior Women: Serena O’Connor, Kate Waugh
Paratriathlon: Richard McLeod (M-PT3), Steven Crowley (M-PT4)
Event website: http://www.duatlonaviles.com
Event Schedule (local time):
Saturday 4th June 2016
09:00 – Paratriathlon
11:45 – Junior Women
13:45 – Junior Men
16:00 – Elite and Under-23 Women
19:00 – Elite and Under-23 Men
Sunday 5th June 2016
08:30 – Age-Group Sprint (first wave)
11:15 – Age-Group Standard (first wave)
16:30 – Elite Mixed Relay
