Search
shop

Sam Laidlow, Emma Bilham win PTO-supported Tradeinn International Triathlon

There was full-distance racing action this past weekend, with a British podium at the Tradeinn International Triathlon in Spain
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Advertisement

Third place for Nikki Bartlett in Spain

With a EUR 42,000 prize purse – 12k of which was topped up by the Professional Triathletes Organisation – the debut edition of the full-distance Tradeinn International Triathlon saw plenty of elite athletes heading to Girona, Spain for Sunday’s event. Combine that with the Spanish National Championship, and competitive racing followed.

Victories were earned by Sam Laidlow (FRA) and Emma Bilham (SUI), who are both familiar names here in the UK and Ireland.

In 2019, Sam won the Lakesman Triathlon in a blistering time of 8:21, still the fastest iron-distance time on UK soil. Still only 22 I believe, Sam has been producing some excellent, but perhaps slightly under the radar, performances for a few years now, showcasing his talent and potential. Well, the genie is now well and truly out of the bottle. You will be hearing his name a lot more over the coming years.

The ‘Born in the UK and raised in the French Pyrénées’ athlete has all the tools to feature strongly at the top of the sport for the next 10+ years. The fastest swim (he recently lead out Jan Frodeno too, at Challenge Gran Canaria, before a crash ended his race there), losing only seven minutes to INEOS rider Cameron Wurf over the challenging 180km course and then closing with a 2:54 marathon – thats a very complete performance.

Women’s Champion Emma Bilham won the debut (and so far, only!) IRONMAN Ireland, Cork on that wet and cold day in 2019. A winner too of the Alpe d’Huez Long Course in 2018 and Cannes International in 2017, Emma is no stranger to success on tough, challenging courses.

It was a close race in Spain however – the top three separated by barely seven minutes – with Emma finishing with a 2:58 marathon, versus the 3:01 and 3:02’s of Judith Corachan Vacquera (ESP) and Great Britain’s Nikki Bartlett.

Emma Bilham / Tradeinn International Triathlon 2021

Nikki will have a very quick turnaround and be testing her recovery powers to the max, as on Sunday she will be racing in Leeds at the AJ Bell World Triathlon Para Series Leeds, as Guide to Alison Peasgood, the Rio 2016 Silver medallist. An important race for them, as due to injuries over the past two years Alison is currently only ranked 13th in the PTVI Paralympic Rankings. A strong result there will see her zoom up the rankings and be in position to target a second Paralympic medal later this year.

A strong result too for Chantal Cummings, who we’ve featured several times over the years, including her win in Ayia Napa amongst them. Chantal has been making progress year-on-year, reflected on Sunday in particular by her swim-bike legs. A 3:20 marathon saw her lose time to the podium trio, but that was both her debut full-distance start and first ever marathon.

The day didn’t go quite so well for Tom Davis, who only signed up for the race at a few days notice, after travel restrictions prevented him flying out to Challenge St Poelten in Austria. Losing some nutrition on a speed bump and a couple of wrong turns were recoverable, but with 40km to go on the bike he lost significant pressure in his front tyre and “it was a case of nursing the bike to the finish” on some tricky descents.

Tradeinn International Triathlon, Girona – Sunday 30th May 2021
3.8km / 180km / 42.2km

MEN

1st – Sam Laidlow (FRA) – 8:41:46
2nd – Victor Arroyo Bugallo (ESP) – 8:46:45
3rd – Morten Bramer Olesen (DEN) – 8:48:28
4th – Roger Manya Velenzuela (ESP) – 8:51:12
5th – Cameron Wurf (AUS) – 8:52:07

14th – Thomas Davis (GBR) – 9:12:13

WOMEN

1st – Emma Bilham (SUI) – 9:32:11
2nd – Judith Corachan Vaquera (ESP) – 9:37:55
3rd – Nikki Bartlett (GBR) – 9:39:35
4th – Chantal Cummings (GBR) – 10:09:12
5th – Katharina Wolff (GER) – 10:14:37

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
ironman hamburg 2025 podium laura philipp kat matthews solveig lovseth
Matthews and Løvseth clash again in star-studded IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See
Jonny Brownlee with bike transition Supertri Toronto 2025
Supertri Chicago 2025: Date, start time, how to watch live and who’s racing
Frederic Funk media day Challenge Roth 2025
IRONMAN Switzerland starts ‘Road to Kona 2026’ for Funk and co
Kristian Blummenfelt wins Challenge Samarkand 2024
Challenge Samarkand 2025 race preview: everything you need to know as next gen stars and former Olympians take to the start line in the ‘jewel of ancient Asia’
Billy Monger T100 London 2025
Billy Monger’s brutally honest assessment of first sprint race – ‘the wake-up call I needed’
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...