Search
shop

Mola starts season on the podium in Venice-Caorle

Benjamin Choquert takes the win at the European Duathlon Championships ahead of Belgian Arnaud Dely and Spaniard Mario Mola.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Three-time World Triathlon Champion, Mario Mola, who is aiming for his fourth Olympic Games in Paris next year, got his 2023 season underway with a third place finish in Venice-Carole at the European Duathlon Championships this past weekend.

The Spaniard, who hasn’t quite been able to rediscover the form that took him to the top of the world in recent years, just missed out on the European title by a couple of seconds, but will likely take confidence from this result heading into his next block of racing.

Advertisement

Strong run pedigree within the field

In Venice-Caorle, a number of world class duathletes, including former Duathlon World Champion Benjamin Choquert of France and last year’s European Duathlon Champion Maxime Hueber-Moosbrugger, also of France, looked ready to push Mola’s running abilities with some serious speed.

Whilst Mola, well known as one of the best runners in the sport of triathlon, boasts impressive running personal bests, with a 13:41 5000m and a 28:44 10km, athletes such as Choquert are as quick or even quicker.

The Frenchman, who in 2015 won the French 5000m national championships, has a 10km personal best of 28:21, which combined with 1500m speed of 3:49, signalled that if he remained in contention on the bike, he’d have the ability to either outlast or outkick the rest of the field.

Choquert edges it

On the day, a group of six athletes made it through the first run side-by-side, including Choquert, Hueber-Moosbrugger and Mola, before the group settled in together on the bike to leave it down to a lockdown on the final run.

Whilst the race distances unfortunately don’t seem to be accurate, there’s no doubt that these men were absolutely flying over the final “2.5km” run leg, with Choquert overcoming a small deficit out of T2 to overhaul Arnaud Dely of Belgium, to win in 48:21, with Dely second in 48:23 and Mola just missing out on the top spot by three seconds in 48:24.

Mario Mola and Benjamin Choquert at European Duathlon Championships 2023
Photo Credit – European Triathlon Federation

Hugo Milner, who is an incredible runner with a 13:44 5km personal best as well as a European Cup winner, was the top finishing Brit in eight place, whilst defending champion Hueber-Moosbrugger couldn’t stay with the leading trio in the final stages of the second run leg and finished out of the medals in fourth.

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
TRI-FIT VORTEX men's tri suit
Beyond marginal gains: A deep dive into the making of TRI-FIT’s most ambitious and advanced tri suit to date
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
Castelli Aero Pro 8S women's cycling jersey
Castelli Aero Pro 8S cycling jersey review: can this ultra-aero jersey turn watts into speed without dialling down on comfort?
Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL
PremiumTraining to heart rate vs power on the bike
Alistair Brownlee bike penalty T100 Ibiza 2024 Photo credit PTO
PremiumWhat’s the most aero way to carry water on your triathlon bike?
latest News
Matt Hanson IRONMAN Cairns run 2025
American star on the costly lessons learned from THREE Ironmans in FIVE weeks
Sam Laidlow bike IRONMAN Leeds 2025
Laidlow and Skipper hail anti-drafting progress – but highlight bigger issues
Julia Skala end of Norseman 2025
“A fight for self-worth, strength and healing,” Julia Skala on world’s toughest triathlon
Steve McKenna got the win at the 40th edition of IRONMAN New Zealand.
Star IRONMAN athlete clocks a sub-2:20 marathon – and says there’s more to come
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘Yo Yo Yo – London is calling’ – Sam Long the latest big name added to stellar T100 start lists
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.

£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

£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...