Another podium for Laura Siddall in the Czech Republic
Sixth for Kimberley Morrison on a borrowed bike
Saturday’s Challenge Prague saw a clash of world champions in the Pro men’s race, with reigning IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion Javier Gomez facing his compatriot, and recent ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championship winner, Pablo Dapena Gonzalez.
Dapena Gonzalez has been in fine form this year and racing many of the Challenge Family races and he, along with Pieter Heemeryck (BEL) were separated by just seconds after the swim and bike. All change from there, as Gomez (1:13:48) coped with the hot conditions on the run to take a six minute victory over Dapena (1:19:54 half marathon).
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlyBdjYAC76/
There were pre-race challenges for GB’s Kim Morrison, who’s bike didn’t arrive in time for the race, but was able to start on a borrowed bike. She didn’t let that stop her manage to gain a small lead by T2, but in a close race, she had several chasers within a few minutes.
Interesting few days in Prague. Unfortunately Kim’s bike has been lost but the amazing team at @challengeprague have got Kim a bike to ride. Looking forward to seeing what she can do pic.twitter.com/LH3k4OMw8t
— Kimberley MORRISON (@TriathlonKim) July 28, 2018
Katrien Verstuyft (BEL) – winner of 70.3 Weymouth last year – would come out on top, her 1:28:20 run in the hot conditions the fifth fastest of the day, with the quickest run (1:25:27) coming from Kirsty Jahn (CAN), which enabled her to pass Challenge Family Ambassador on super-consistent Brit, Laura Siddall (1:27:11), who added more points to her 2018 Challenge Family Series rankings.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlzlyMIguoM/
Challenge Prague – Saturday 28th July 2018
1.9km / 90km / 21km
PRO Men
1st – Javier Gomez (ESP) – 3:44:40
2nd – Pablo Dapena Gonzalez (ESP) – 3:50:53
3rd – Pieter Heemeryck (BEL) – 3:51:55
9th – George Goodwin (GBR) – 4:04:15
PRO Women
1st – Katrien Verstuyft (BEL) – 4:21:30
2nd – Kirsty Jahn (CAN) – 4:22:03
3rd – Laura Siddall (GBR) – 4:22:21
the WINNER of @challengeprague IS KATRIEN VERSTUYFT IN 4:21:30 pic.twitter.com/5XBARQnkhP
— Challenge Family (@ChallengeFamily) July 28, 2018
6th – Kimberley Morrison (GBR) – 4:25:49
8th – Chantal Cummings (GBR) – 4:29:13
I feel soo emotional & grateful when I think how a motivated team of people came together yesterday to help me put a race together… #somethingborrowed ❤️ @challengeprague @Challenge_Famil
I gave my absolutely best to come into T2 1st … and ran a painful running race #6th pic.twitter.com/C4YZgtxvC0
— Kimberley MORRISON (@TriathlonKim) July 29, 2018