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Steadman, Patrick, Lewis and Tench all win European gold in Lisbon

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Today (Friday 27 May) the Great Britain Paratriathlon Team delivered four gold medal performances with reigning European Champions, Lauren Steadman (PT4) and Alison Patrick (PT5) retaining their titles at the ETU Paratriathlon European Championships in Lisbon. They were joined on the top of the podium by Andrew Lewis (PT2) and Lizzie Tench (PT1).

Lisbon was a hugely important race for Great Britain’s paratriathletes in their quest for Rio qualification offering fifty percent more ranking points than an ITU World Paratriathlon Event. 

 

The team delivered seven podium finishes in Portugal with Faye McClelland (PT4) and Melissa Reid (PT5) winning silver medals and Joe Townsend (PT1) securing bronze.

 

Andrew Lewis (PT2) who also won the 2016 Penrith ITU World Paratriathlon Event in April, secured his first European title and was delighted with gold commenting: “It was amazing, I couldn’t really dream of anything better really, I am European Champion! I followed everything my coach told me to do and followed all the processes and everything went to plan.”

 

Jonathon Riall, Head Coach of the Great Britain Paratriathlon Team was thrilled with the afternoon’s events: “Everything we wanted to achieve here in Lisbon, we delivered. I couldn’t be happier with the performance of the team. In every category we have athletes who have moved massive steps forward. We had athletes contesting six categories and we delivered four gold medals. We still have two races left before the qualification window closes for Rio, so everyone is now fully focused on the Strathclyde and Besancon events in June.”

 

Brendan Purcell, British Triathlon’s Performance Director added: “All the athletes have delivered absolutely brilliant performances here in Lisbon. This was a critical event for us as the athletes looked to secure additional ranking points before the end of the qualification window in June.

 

“Alongside the athlete performances, I have been equally impressed with the support staff, who are operating at a very high level. They are a really strong team which is vital as we approach the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games later this year.” 

 

The 2016 Lisbon ETU Paratriathlon European Championships continue on Saturday and Sunday with junior and senior elite races. The Great Britain Age-Group Team who have contested the sprint distance titles today will compete in the standard distance championships on Sunday.

 

ETU Triathlon European Paratriathlon Championships, Lisbon – Friday 27th May 2016

750m / 20km / 5km

 

Gold

Lauren Steadman (PT4)

Lizzie Tench (PT1)

Alison Patrick (PT5)/ Hazel Smith (Guide) 

Andrew Lewis (PT2)

 

Silver

Faye McClelland (PT4)

Melissa Reid (PT5)/ Nicole Walters (Guide)

 

Bronze

Joseph Townsend (PT1) 

 

Full results available here: http://www.triathlon.org/events/event/2016_lisbon_etu_triathlon_european_championships 

 

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