Team France proved to be a different class today in the ITU Mixed Relay Triathlon World Championships, but Silver and Bronze were not decided until the blue carpet…
Laura Lindemann (GER) and Leonie Periault (FRA) held a very narrow lead after leg one, with Great Britain’s Vicky Holland just seconds behind after handing over to Jonathan Brownlee for leg two.
Germany and France are leading after the first women's leg in the #WTSHamburg #TriMixedRelay! The first men have dived in and underway, watch what happens next on https://t.co/1kfqlhUSgA pic.twitter.com/1HfL9WoatL
— TriathlonLIVE (@triathlonlive) July 15, 2018
2016 World Champions, USA, represented by Ben Kanute were able to bridge up to Germany, France and Great Britain during the swim/bike of leg two, before a swift transition saw Dorian Coninx (FRA) surprisingly able to hand over to yesterday’s individual champion, Cassandra Beaugrand, with a few seconds lead over the Olympic Silver and Bronze medal winner.
The gap is almost 10 seconds as Germany, GB, France, USA lead at the bell #WTSHamburg #TriMixedRelay@ARoyle90 leads the chasers pic.twitter.com/LwLXCm2ygV
— TriathlonLIVE (@triathlonlive) July 15, 2018
Jodie Stimpson headed on to to leg three for the British team. Having suffered during the run, Team USA had the speedy Katie Zaferes on leg three. She would need to produce another stunning performance – just as she did in Nottingham – to get her team back into Gold medal contention.
Halfway through this #TriMixedRelay race in #WTSHamburg and it is France with a nice little lead over Great Britain and USA hanging on for 2nd and 3rd! But this race isn't over yet! Tune in! https://t.co/1kfqlhUSgA pic.twitter.com/DfDEB9ORAG
— TriathlonLIVE (@triathlonlive) July 15, 2018
Beaugrand had a clear lead after the swim, but had a very focussed Jodie Stimpson looking to chase her down. Behind, USA and Germany had been joined by Japan in a group chasing in positions 3/4/5 – and Zaferes (USA) and Takahasi (JPN) soon bridged up to the Brit. After one lap, that trio were just 13 seconds behind Beaugrand. Before the second lap had finished, all four were together. Zaferes WAS having a great leg! Would Beaugrand produce the stunning running performance she managed on Saturday?
Beaugrand handed over to Vincent Luis, just two seconds ahead of Zaferes to Kevin McDowell (USA), with Tom Bishop 11 seconds back in third place for Great Britain. Which way would the medals go? Behind, Ashleigh Gentle has pulled Australia, perhaps, back into contention…
The final men have DOVE into the water! This is a tight race between France, USA and Great Britain! Who is going to take the #WTSHamburg #TriMixedRelay World Championship crown?! Don't miss the ending! https://t.co/1kfqlhUSgA pic.twitter.com/QCrPf2GKhp
— TriathlonLIVE (@triathlonlive) July 15, 2018
Luis and McDowell completed the swim together, the gap to Great Britain now up to 26 seconds. Second in the individual race yesterday – and a winner in Hamburg in both individual and relay format in 2015, Vincent Luis attacked early and pulled away from McDowell on the bike, building a 10 second lead after lap one. Bishop was now 47 seconds down, but Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) was now only four seconds behind and looking certain to catch the Brit before the run.
Luis was clear in front, McDowell 29 seconds later and Bishop / Birtwhistle one minute down starting the final run, which looked like it would be a lap of honour for Vincent Luis.
France lead USA by 25 seconds, GB and Australia leave T2 together for a 1.5km battle for bronze! #WTSHamburg #TriMixedRelay pic.twitter.com/T37ZHn6QTg
— TriathlonLIVE (@triathlonlive) July 15, 2018
The final run was indeed easy work for Vincent Luis who lead the impressive French team to a comfortable victory, but in the finish straight behind, Jacob Birtwhistle sprinted past the McDowell in sight of the line to earn the silver ahead of Team USA.
ITU Mixed Relay Triathlon World Championships, Hamburg – Sunday 15th July 2018
4x 300m / 7km / 1.7km
1st – France – 1:20:06
2nd – Australia – 1:20:49
3rd – USA – 1:20:51
4th – Great Britain – 1:21:09
5th – Netherlands – 1:21:24