Watch the video highlights from the women’s race
Watch the video highlights from the men’s race
Two thrilling races kicked off the Dextro Energy ITU World Championship Series in Sydney on April 10 and 11, with Bevan Docherty (NZL) winning the men’s and Chile’s Barbara Riveros Diaz surprising the field in the women’s event.
Held on a course located in and around Sydney’s downtown and centred around the iconic Opera House, athletes enjoyed perfect racing conditions. Water temperatures of around 21-22° in Farm’s Cove meant wetsuits were not necessary, but the hilly bike and run legs proved tough challenges for many.
Docherty held off a strong challenge from Russian Suunto Ambassador Alexander Brukhankov who was second, just six seconds behind the Kiwi’s winning 1hr 51min 27sec time. France’s David Hauss was third ahead of another Russian Suunto Ambassador Dmitry Polyansky.
Polyansky was first out of the water after the 1.5km swim but was quickly absorbed into a large group of riders consisting of all major favourites at the start of the 40km bike leg.
After the second transition, Docherty, Brukhankov, Hauss and Polyansky plus Canadian Simon Whitfield forged ahead on the 10km run, overhauling early leaders Hunter Kemper (USA) and Anton Chuchko (RUS).
Docherty made his move in the final few kilometres, surging ahead to claim victory. Brukhankov sprinted hard to out run Hauss on the finishing straight for his best ever WCS result.
Riveros Diaz, 22 and a member of the Team ITU Sport Development squad, displayed superb running strength, holding off seasoned athletes Andrea Hewitt (NZL) and Emma Moffatt (AUS), stopping the clock on 2hr 4min 19sec.
The trio had pulled away from the main pack during the run section with Riveros Diaz rounding the final corners a few metres in front of Hewitt and Moffatt.
“I was a bit nervous heading into the final lap,” Riveros Diaz said. “I’m usually not very good at a sprint finish, but today it all worked out very well.”
Jan Frodeno hopeful after crash
Olympic Champion Jan Frodeno (GER) was hopeful after his crash, which put him out of the running for a top finish at Sydney’s Dextro Energy World Championship race. The Suunto t6c user athlete was entering the second transition after the bike leg with the main group when another rider bumped him into the barriers.
“Suddenly it became very tight in the group and an athlete literally shoved me into the fencing and then I was already lying on the ground,” said Frodeno. “I immediately felt a sharp pain in my thigh.”
The tall German rallied himself however, and he got out onto the run course as quick as possible. While only 32nd across the line, he finished the 10km leg in 31min 59sec, the eighth fastest split of the day.
“It’s obviously a shame that the season began like this.
“I can leave Australia with the knowledge that my form is good and I hope that I can soon show what I am capable of!”
Images by triathlon.org/ Delly Carr