Search
shop

Emma Pallant, Pieter Heemeryck take Challenge Gran Canaria 2019

Race favourites takes the wins at Challenge Gran Canaria, which included a standout performance from British Age-Group athlete, Katrina Rye
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Advertisement

Race favourites takes the victories in Spain

Impressive Age-Group performance from Katrina Rye

(Big thanks to Activ Images for providing the images – http://activ-images.fr/)

Spain was very busy with endurance racing on Saturday. As well as IRONMAN 70.3 Marbella (report HERE), there was also the start of the 2019 ITU Multisport World Championships, with the Duathlon World Champs kicking off that  event. Catch up on the news from Pontevedra on these links: Elite | Age-Group Sprint | Age-Group Standard.

Plenty of British athletes at all of those – just as there was at the fourth edition of the Gloria Challenge Mogan Gran Canaria.

In the Weekend Preview I’d firmly nailed the ‘favourite’ status to 2017 champion Emma Pallant, and second two years ago, Pieter Heemeryck (BEL). That proved to be correct.

While Celine Schaerer (SUI) lead the way in the swim in typical style, Pallant’s 1:25 deficit in the water was in cut through a swift T1, and 90km later she had a five minute lead, which she more than doubled by the finish. The 2017 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Silver medallist required no repeat of that six second victory over Lucy Charles this time around.

Emma Pallant Challenge Gran Canaria 2019

There was significant British interest in the men’s Pro race, with five athletes racing – and they filled position 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 at the finish, with David Bishop winning the “first Brit” (virtual) award.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw1mlAjDCgm/

Manuel Küng (SUI) emerged from the swim solo, 40 seconds ahead of Heemeryck and Thomas Davis, leading most of the field over the next 30 seconds. The Gran Canaria course is a challenging one and once the 90km was completed Küng still lead the way alone, but Great Britain’s Luke Pollard had powered his way through to second less than a minute back. Heemeryck was still in a good place just 54 seconds behind Luke, with the chasers now more than two minutes further back. Thomas Davis, Sam Pictor, Chris Silver and David Bishop would all start the run in close order.

Challenge Gran Canaria 2019

The Belgian athlete proved his class on the run to take the win, with Küng holding strong for second, while Nan Oliveras (ESP) was the best of the chasers to complete the podium, as Pollard would fade after his bold riding in his first Pro Middle Distance race.

Age-Group

There was a very impressive performance in the Age-Group ranks. We recently published the news that Katrina Rye would be joining the Team Freespeed squad for 2019. Already a winner locally in the UK this season at the East Leake Triathlon, she was first female Age-Group athlete overall by a huge margin of 15 minutes, in a time just five minutes slower than women’s Pro winner, Emma Pallant. Her plans for 2019 included the Age-Group IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Nice. That sort of performance might have her considering race Pro, sooner that she planned.

Katrina Rye / Kat Rye / Challenge Gran Canaria 2019

Gloria Challenge Mogan Gran Canaria – Saturday 27th April 2019
1.9km / 90km / 21.1km – FULL RESULTS

PRO MEN

1st – Pieter Heemeryck (BEL) – 4:00:44
2nd – Manuel Küng (SUI) – 4:02:21
3rd – Nan Oliveras (ESP) – 4:04:13
4th – David Bishop (GBR) – 4:05:09
5th – Sam Pictor (GBR) – 4:05:48
6th – Thomas Davis (GBR) – 4:06:10
7th – Chris Silver (GBR) – 4:07:08
8th – Luke Pollard (GBR) – 4:08:11

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bww5Sv3D3NH/

PRO WOMEN

1st – Emma Pallant (GBR) – 4:36:07
2nd – Tessa Kortekaas (NED) – 4:48:58
3rd – Celine Schaerer (SUI) – 4:51:03
4th – Caroline Livesey (GBR) – 4:52:23

AGE-GROUP MEN

1st – Luis Hernandez Cano (ESP) – 4:24:35 (30-34)
2nd – Barnaby Palmer (GBR) – 4:30:43 (25-29)
3rd – Nicola Dominguez Garcia (ESP) – 4:31:33 (30-34)
4th – Ben Prioux (FRA) – 4:33:32 (40-44)
5th – Mark Livesey (GBR) – 4:35:04 (45-49)

AGE-GROUP WOMEN

1st – Katrina Rye (GBR) – 4:41:13 (25-29)
2nd – Katherine Renouf (GBR) – 4:56:25 (25-29)
3rd – Liane Van Egmond (GBR) – 5:28:06 (40-44)

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
Challenge Family Jort Vlam CEO
“It’s not just for nutty people who train 40 hours a week!” Jort Vlam on taking triathlon mainstream and why he’s still inspired to keep growing the sport
Chain hanging to dry after waxing
PremiumSwitching to a waxed chain could take minutes off your Ironman bike split, without riding any harder – and here’s why
PremiumAre women better than men at long distances? We uncover the truth once and for all
Castelli Aero Pro 8S women's cycling jersey
Castelli Aero Pro 8S cycling jersey review: can this ultra-aero jersey turn watts into speed without dialling down on comfort?
Sian Rainsley Vitus
PremiumThreshold or VO2 max? The best type of intervals for triathletes who want to get faster
latest News
James Elvery / RaceRanger
RaceRanger anti-draft tech set to be added to motos by next season reveals CEO
Taylor Knibb congratulates Julie Derron at T100 San Francisco 2025
T100 London 2025: Date, start times and how to watch two epic races LIVE
Hayden Wilde Alex Yee Olympic Games Triathlon Paris 2024
Welcome shock as Alex Yee and Hayden Wilde renew rivalry on the French Riviera
Gwen Jorgensen reflective World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mer 2023
Olympic champ says “story isn’t over” after surgery to remove Haglund’s deformity
Hayden Wilde New Plymouth 2023 photo credit Cameron Mackenzie / World Triathlon
Olympic and then world title on home soil for Hayden Wilde in 2028? It’s come a step closer…
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...