Jess Learmonth picks up her second ITU World Triathlon Series medal of 2019, taking silver at the MS Amlin World Triathlon Bermuda.
The 2018 Commonwealth silver medallist led from the gun, characteristically exiting the swim first and quickly forming part of the leading quartet on the bike alongside fellow Brit, Vicky Holland, Katie Zaferes (USA) and Maya Kingma (NED). After the 10-lap bike course, it was Zaferes and Learmonth out in front, with Norway’s Lotte Miller for company as they prepared to embark on the final 10k run. In her classic style, the American pulled away from the field to take the tape in just under 2 hours. Learmonth dug in to hang on to the silver medal, one better than the bronze she received in Abu Dhabi last month. Canada’s Jo Brown clawed her way back up the field for third place.
Georgia Taylor-Brown finished strongly to come home in fifth (Credit: ITU Media/Janos Schmidt).
Georgia Taylor-Brown was the next best of the Brits, finishing in fifth place after a solid all-round performance. Posting the quickest run split of the day, Non Stanford came home in 13th place after losing valuable time on the swim. Olympic bronze medallist, Holland posted a quick swim but was unable to match the pace of the leaders of the bike, dropping back to the chase pack. She finished in 15th place.
The Men’s race saw a win for Frenchman, Dorian Coninx, after the race coming down to a battle on foot. Jonny Brownlee led the bike pack for much of the 40km, with his efforts going largely unsupported. Pushing the pace, lost energy meant the Brit went into T2 around 40 seconds back from Jonas Schomburg (GER) who tried to create a gap. Javier Gomez Noya (ESP) took silver, whilst 2018 bronze medallist, Gustav Iden (NOR) repeated his performance to gain the final podium spot.
Mike Cavendish, British Triathlon Performance Director, said:
“Jess had a brilliant race today and it shows just how well the last few months of training have gone for her. Overall, the team performed very positively and it’s really all about athletes reaching their peak in the summer.
“Not everyone will be happy with their final result today, but all our athletes had positive elements to their race and will know where they need to improve. I’m confident we’re moving in the right direction ahead of our first Olympic selection race in Yokohama.”
Jess Learmonth, MS Amlin World Triathlon Bermuda silver medallist, said:
“That was tough - I blame Flora (Duffy)! That course is brutal, so I’m really happy to have hung on for silver. The weather conditions weren’t ideal – the rain was torrential in the swim, so I knew I’d have to be careful out on the bike so not to come off. But yes, pleased to come away with a podium for my efforts.”
RSSULTS: MS Amlin World Triathlon Bermuda
Men
Gold: Dorian Coninx, FRA, 1:50:36
Silver: Gomez Noya, ESP, 1:50:38
Bronze:Gustav Iden, NOR, 1:50:38
11. Jonny Brownlee, GBR, 1:51:54
Women
Gold: Katie Zaferes, USA, 1:59:52
Silver: Jessica Learmonth, GBR, 2:01:33
Bronze:Joanne Brown, CAN, 2:02:05
5. Georgia Taylor-Brown, GBR, 2:02:22
13. Non Stanford, GBR, 2:03:55
15. Vicky Holland, GBR, 2:04:26
