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In pictures: Challenge St. Pölten 2023 gallery

Challenge St. Pölten 2023 in pictures, specifically from behind the lens of José Luis Hourcade
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
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The city of St. Pölten, the capital of the State of Lower Austria has been hosting major international triathlon events for two decades now. On a busy weekend just over a week ago now, the third edition of Challenge St. Pölten took place in excellent conditions

The victories there went to Tom Hug (GER) and Lotte Wilms (NED), and you can find the full report on that HERE.

Following up on that report – and with great thanks to regular contributor José Luis Hourcade (www.joseluishourcade.com) – we can bring you the story of the race in pictures.

Challenge St. Pölten 2023 – via the lens of José Luis Hourcade

Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Lotte Wilms (right) and Daniela Kleiser relax before the swim start
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
It would not be such a happy day for Sebastian Kienle
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
A rare middle-distance pontoon dive start
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
The Pro Men seeking the best line fro the gun
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
As he did in 2022, Hannes Butters (GER) dominated the swim
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
The two-lake swim saw athletes have a short run before diving back in
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Lake two – the Ratzersdorfer See
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Kienle and the chasers early in the cycle section
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Adriano Engelhardt (SUI) in aero mode
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Sebastian Kienle – before he ‘lost it’ after receiving a penalty
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Hannes Butters held his swim lead for much of the bike section too
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Carolin Lehrieder had a strong ride to set up a podium finish
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Ruben Zepuntke was a class apart on two wheels, reaching T2 alone
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Fabian Günther (GER) on the one lap bike course
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Lotte Wilms was in control all day long
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Great views by the river
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Great Britain’s Kit Walker, twice a winner at The Outlaw Triathlon
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Tom Hug was the surprise package of the day
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
No repeat victory for 2022 champion, Nicolas Mann, who was a DNF
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
The bike course is an impressive one
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Germany’s Lisa Gerß en-route to fifth place
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
10th (2021), 7th (2022) and now 4th, Gabriele Obmann is getting close to the ‘home’ podium
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Daniela Kleiser on the bike – but the fastest run split would be her route to silver
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Zepuntke leading and nobody close summed up the second half of the ride
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Tom Hug set about chasing down Ruben
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Englehardt and Hollaus were running well
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Lotte Wilms was a gun-to-tape winner and never under threat in Austria
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Tom Hug makes the pass on Ruben Zepuntke
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Despite his bike efforts, Zepuntke couldn’t hold his lead to the finish
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Another fastest run split for the speedy Daniela Kleiser
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
A delighted Tom Hug takes the tape
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
A podium of Hug, Englehardt and Hollaus – though Adriano (#28) would later be DQ’d for not serving a penalty
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Lotte Wilms was a clear winner in St. Pölten
Challenge St. Pölten 2023 - Photo Credit José Luis Hourcade
Lotte Wilms, Daniela Kleiser and Carolin Lehreider were the podium trio
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.
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