Challenge Kaiserwinkl-Walchsee results: Derron and Bitados run to impressive wins in Austria

Olympics-bound Julie Derron of Switzerland and Greece’s Panagiotis Bitados ran out the respective winners of the stunningly-scenic Challenge Kaiserwinkl-Walchsee in the Austrian Alps on Sunday.

In the women’s race, Derron took full advantage of a mechanical mishap late on the bike for long-time leader and home hope Therese Feurersinger, who had carved out an advantage of over four minutes. Though Derron would have surely still been a big favourite after a 1:12 run which was more than seven minutes quicker than the next best, something she alluded to in her post-race quotes below.

Bitados meanwhile reeled in Germany’s Justus Nieschlag, who had led the men after both the swim and bike, for his maiden win.

Women’s race – Heartbreak for Feurersinger

The women started 10 minutes ahead of the men in what were ideal conditions in the water – no wind, flat water and a temperature of 19.9C so a wetsuit swim for all.

And in the 1.9km loop around Lake Walchsee, Feurersinger put down an early marker as she was first out in 24:01. At this point Derron was just over a minute-and-a-half back in the three-woman chase pack alongside Alanis Siffert (SUI) and Lilli Gelmini (ITA).

But any thoughts that multi-middle-distance winner Derron would rapidly close down Feurersinger were quickly extinguished on what was a hilly course – and a technical one, with the roads wet and slippery in parts after torrential overnight rain.

Feuersinger, a reserve for the Austrian Olympic team, was flying in what was her first middle distance race and she had extended her lead to four minutes over Derron at the halfway stage.

She was still looking good on the final climb but then she was forced out in heartbreaking fashion with a mechanical in the final few kilometres.

Therese Feurersinger Challenge Kaiserwinkl-Walchsee 2024 — An unfortunate exit for Therese Feurersinger Challenge [Photo credit: Challenge Family]

All of which meant it was Derron into T2 first, two minutes ahead of Siffert and she was never threatened thereafter.

She’d doubled the advantage by the end of the first of four run laps and it continued to go out as she clocked a 1:12 half marathon.

Derron crossed the line in 4:03:38, a fraction under 10 minutes in front of Swiss compatriot Siffert, with Germany’s Sarah Schönfelder rounding out the podium in third in 4:21:05.

Afterwards Derron said: “I think I had good start, I tried to get onto Therese’s feet and I didn’t quite manage it.

“She had a great swim and bike. I pushed really hard on the bike and I was really happy with my performance. Onto the run and I know I’m in good run shape and even if Therese hadn’t had a mechanical, I think I could have run her down. I’m really happy with the win and it was a really great atmosphere and a great race!”

Next stop the Olympics!

Julie Derron wins Challenge Kaiserwinkl-Walchsee 2024 — Julie Derron took an impressive win [Photo credit: José Luis Hourcade | Challenge Family]

Men’s race – Bitados reels in Nieschlag

It was all about Germany’s Justus Nieschlag for much of the men’s race.

He led out of the water in 22:50, though Bitados was just three seconds down, closely followed by Magnus Manner.

And even though things chopped and changed in behind, Nieschlag remained in control up front throughout the bike section.

His compatriot Jannik Stoll was the man making most ground of the chasers and he would move into a clear second but by the time T2 arrived the chasers – which also contained Bitados, German duo Tom Hug and Thomas Ott, plus Rafael Lukatsch (AUT) – were back together and 2:29 adrift of Nieschlag.

Early on the run it was Bitados who moved into a clear second as he began the pursuit of the leader.

At the end of the first of four laps the gap was down to 1:41, then just 35 seconds at the halfway point and the catch would come soon after.

And with a new run course record of 1:09, Bitados had enough in hand to hold off a charging Hug, who overtook Nieschlag but was still 1:01 behind on the line.