In Pictures: Fast racing at the Daytona International Speedway
Lionel Sanders and Paula Findlay run to victory in Florida
The final big Pro race of the 2019 season took place on Saturday at the home of NASCAR’s Daytona 500, Challenge Daytona, at the Daytona Motor Speedway in Florida.
The “Daytona Under the Lights” distance meant full-gas racing from the start and resulted in two close races. In a case of deja vu from last week’s IRONMAN 70.3 Indian Wells, it was once again Lionel Sanders and Paula Findlay who came out on top.
Sanders started the run in third place, just a few second back on the fast transition of Pablo Dapena Gonzalez (ESP), as that fast-running pair set off to chase down the narrow lead of Andrew Starykowicz over the 13km run. The Spanish athlete was the one pushing the pace, and Sanders was digging deep to stay with him, only managing to pull clear in the final stages after a hard fought race.
For the women, a trio of Lucy Charles-Barclay (GBR), Paula Findlay (CAN) and Lisa Norden (SWE) all dismounted the bike within seconds and looked set to contest the win with a significant lead over fourth placed Meredith Kessler. Norden was soon relegated to third, as Lucy and Paula pushed on for the win. It was the multiple World Triathlon Series winner, Findlay, who proved the strongest and crossed the line a minute clear of the young Brit. Lucy was more than happy with her second place, considering her efforts well above where her current (post-Kona, off-season) fitness is. A great double for the Canadians.
Once again we benefit from the photography skills of José Luis Hourcade (www.joseluishourcade.com), who continues to provide us with visual insight into many of the biggest triathlon events from around the world.
Check out some great images from the race below
Challenge Daytona, Daytona International Speedway – Saturday 14th December 2019
1.6km / 60km / 13.2km
PRO MEN
1st – Lionel Sanders (CAN) – 2:23:02
2nd – Pablo Dapena Gonzalez (ESP) – 2:23:32
3rd – Jason West (USA) – 2:27:32
4th – Andrew Starykowicz (USA) – 2:27:53
5th – Joe Maloy (USA) – 2:28:28
6th – Magnus Ditliv (DEN) – 2:29:52
7th – Kieran Lindars (GBR) – 2:30:44
8th – Reece Charles-Barclay (GBR) – 2:33:00
PRO WOMEN
1st – Paula Findlay (CAN) – 2:38:47
2nd – Lucy Charles-Barclay (GBR) – 2:39:48
3rd – Lisa Norden (SWE) – 2:43:50
4th – Meredith Kessler (USA) – 2:44:45
5th – Laura Siddall (GBR) – 2:51:41
