Search
shop

Magnificent Mola runs to Gold Coast WTS victory

2016 ITU World Champion Mario Mola used his impressive run speed to get the better of training partner Richard Murray at WTS Gold Coast
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Advertisement

2016 World Champion uses speedy run to win in Australia

An ‘M &M’ one-two as it is Mola and Murray on top at Gold Coast

If I pretty much skip over the swim and bike legs from the ITU World Triathlon Gold Coast today, please excuse me. If you want to put forward evidence that Sprint distance is a far better and exciting format for triathlon in the Olympic Games… then today probably wasn’t your best evidence.

The athletes gave it a go – swim leader Henri Schoeman, along with Ben Kanute, Javier Gomez, Taylor Reid and Trent Thorpe did try and break / keep clear at the early stages of the bike, but the sheer volume and quality of athletes behind – separated by smaller gaps from a 750m swim, rather than a 1.5km effort – meant that effort was soon extinguished.

ITU World Triathlon Gold Coast 2017 - Mario Mola wins

After that, for some periods the bike looked like club ride with a few sprints for sign posts – until Ryan Fisher (AUS) broke clear, fully committed, and built a 16 second lead at T2.

Unfortunately, when you then have a running group of Mola, Murray, Gomez, Alarza and Birtwhistle chasing you down, 16 seconds can vanish quickly. Mola was aggressive and setting the pace right from the start – and gradually reducing those who could stay with him.

ITU World Triathlon Gold Coast 2017 - Mario Mola wins

  • Jacob Birtwhistle looked like he was jogging – and then got dropped.
  • Fernando Alarza looked like he was struggling – but then dropped Gomez.
  • Richard Murray looked like he was cruising on Mola’s shoulder… but actually, he was “on the rivet”, and Mario Mola was the class of the field today.

“It was a very tough race as usual, but with the sprint, Richard, Fernando and Javi they were all on fire. I had to give 100 percent today to get this win,” Mola said.

“Every race is a new opportunity and a different opportunity to give our best and to try our best. In Abu Dhabi I do not think I was less fit or more than I was today but in this racing these guys are very good and if you don’t have your best day you go from first to eighth to twentieth, that is racing. So to get a good result I am happy to have a good performance.”

ITU World Triathlon Gold Coast – Saturday 8th April 2017
ELITE MEN – 750m / 20km / 5km

1st – Mario Mola (ESP) – 52:35
2nd – Richard Murray (RSA) – 52:39
3rd – Fernando Alarza (ESP) – 52:44
4th – Javier Gomez (ESP) – 52:51
5th – Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) – 53:03
6th – Luke Willian (AUS) -53:08
7th – Ryan Sissons (NZL) – 53:08
8th – Henri Schoeman (RSA) – 53:11
9th – Wian Sullwald (RSA) – 53:11
10th – Sagir Sagiv (ISR) – 53:!4

World Triathlon Series Standings after Gold Coast

1st – Javier Gomez (ESP) – 1433
2nd – Richard Murray (RSA) -1326
3rd – Fernando Alarza (ESP) – 1318
4th – Mario Mola (ESP) – 1264
5th – Henri Schoeman (RSA) – 861

ITU World Triathlon Gold Coast 2017 - Mario Mola wins

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
tri-fit vortex tri suit review
TRI-FIT VORTEX tri suit review – race day approved performance
Maja Stage Nielsen Kat Matthews Jocelyn McCauley IRONMAN Texas 2023 podium photo credit IRONMAN
PremiumRacing to keep up: Is social media making us train harder?
Cadomotus chronos aero triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL
PremiumTraining to heart rate vs power on the bike
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
latest News
Tim Don Supertri Toronto 2025
Tim Don: Watch out for Jonny Brownlee bounce back and Fanni Szalai at Supertri Chicago
Morgan Pearson run T100 San Francisco 2025
Morgan Pearson born to run – ‘maybe I’m the T100 X Factor with a lot to prove’
Georgia Taylor Brown smiles Supertri Toronto 2025
‘It might take a miracle but I’ll give it my best shot’ – can GTB repeat Supertri Chicago win?
Sam Renouf CEO of the PTO
T100 Valencia replacement announced as PTO chief acknowledges “challenges” with 2025 calendar
ironman hamburg 2025 podium laura philipp kat matthews solveig lovseth
Matthews and Løvseth clash again in star-studded IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See
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...