The Weekend Roundup: 25-28 July 2019

A masterclass from a legend in France, a sprint finish for European Gold in Russia, British IRONMAN success in Germany and the weather (again…), tearing up the best laid plans of British long-distance racing in Nottingham. All summarised for you in the Weekend Roundup.

INTERNATIONAL RACING

Alpe d’Huez Triathlon

This French classic is the reason that we published a ‘four day’ preview (and now roundup…), this week.

Thursday’s Long Course event was dominated by reigning IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 Champion, Daniela Ryf, who beat all but five of the men. With the women starting 15 minutes ahead of the men, she was also the first athlete across the line. She also set the fastest time on the iconic, climb… passing the men’s winner, Romain Guillaume in the process. Full report HERE.

When the Bird strikes back 😲🐥⚡️Magic moment from @alpe_triathlon saw female leader @danielaryf retake lead at front of race from men’s winner @RomGuillaume at the top of the summit 🚵🏼‍♂️🚵‍♀️ Female pros starting 15 minutes ahead of the men led to great dynamics through whole race. pic.twitter.com/qpzcG2U93m

— Spirit Triathlon Series (@SpiritTriSeries) July 26, 2019

Friday’s Short Distance event (1.2km / 28km / 6.7km) was won by Jonas Schomburg (GER) and Justine Guerard (FRA) – full results HERE.

ETU Sprint Triathlon European Championships, Kazan, Russia

Elite British success in Russia courtesy of a Gordon Benson / Sam Dickinson sprint finish, while the GB Age-Group squad collected another vast medal haul. Full details on both events on these links:

• A British one-two in Russia as Benson and Dickinson dominate
• Kazan 2019: GB Age-Group medals

IRONMAN Hamburg

More British success in Germany where Susie Cheetham went Sub-9 to win IRONMAN Hamburg. CLICK HERE for full report from Germany.

Challenge Prague

A stellar field on Prague resulted in a top tier podium, headed by Florian Angert (GER), who inflicted a rare Challege Family defeat on Pieter Heemeryck (BEL), while the impressive form of Radka Kahlefedlt continued as she used her run speed to catch and pass London 2012 Olympic Silver medallist, Lisa Norden (SWE).

Pro Men

1st – Florian Angert (GER) – 3:54:49
2nd – Pieter Heemeryck (BEL) – 3:57:36
3rd – Pablo Dapena Gonzalez (ESP) – 3:59:04

8th – Thomas Davis (GBR) – 4:06:45

View this post on Instagram

@challengeprague – 8th place today A strong swim, coming out in the front 3, and first out of T1. Pushed hard on the bike, and got a break with @steger_thomas coming into t2. From there on it was a struggle to make it to the line, with a dodgy stomach, and the warm conditions made it more a mental battle to reach the end. Congrats to the boys on the podium for some strong racing, @florian_angert , @pieter.heemeryck , @pablitopiny

A post shared by Thomas Davis (@tom_davis1995) on Jul 27, 2019 at 10:22am PDT

Pro Women

1st – Radka Kahlefeldt (CZE) – 4:22:13
2nd – Lisa Norden (SWE) – 4:24:11
3rd – Eva Wutti (AUT) –  4:31:35

DNF – Emma Pallant (GBR)

View this post on Instagram

There’s no running or hiding from problems. Rolled the dice starting @challengeprague after being knocked off the bike by a taxi last week. Unfortunately it rolled low, now time to get a diagnosis 🧐 📸 @jamesmitchell5

A post shared by Emma Pallant (@em_pallant) on Jul 27, 2019 at 11:33pm PDT

IRONMAN Canada, Whistler

After her epic win (read about it HERE) a few weeks ago at the Canadaman Xtreme Triathlon, Caroline Livesey described her race at the final IRONMAN Canada in Whistler on Sunday as “Probably my worst physical performance ever, but I can take so many positives from it too”. Appropriately perhaps, the there was a home winner as Heather Wurtele added another victory to her already impressive career C.V.

Pro Women

1st – Heather Wurtele (CAN) – 9:20:41
2nd – Jen Annett (CAN) – 9:27:43
3rd – Kelsey Withrow (USA) – 9:38:28

11th – Caroline Livesey (GBR) – 10:26:37

View this post on Instagram

Survival. • @ironmancanada medal might be the hardest one I have ever earned. Probably my worst physical performance ever, but I can take so many positives from it too. • The day started out well. Water much warmer than the air thankfully! Got into a good pack for first lap, lost them in the crowds on second lap but finished strong and was out in 56 min and super hopeful for a good day. • It was not to be. Cold legs never warmed up, maybe they stayed in bed 😴 certainly felt that way. The run was a battle from the first step. But MASSIVE highlight was seeing a bear 🐻 actually on the run route. No joke. Epic. • Fought through the horrendous whole body pain and stomach cramps to an ugly shuffle of a finish. Med tent followed, but all ok after I stopped feeling like I might die. • So despite being embarrassed by the physical performance, and disappointed not to have been able to show the form I know I have, I am elated and grateful. Elated to have really dug to the depths and found new limits. Grateful for my fitness and health and the opportunities I have. Whistler is stunning. • It’s been an emotional week in many ways and I am left drained by it all, but happy. Happy I still have my main man here with me for more adventures. Canada 🇨🇦 you have been awesome. • 🎥 @trainxhale Thanks as always to my wonderful sponsors. • #swimbikerun #ironman #triathlon #mentalstrength #survivalmode #everyonewins #bearcountry #whistler #altalake #canada #ironmanwhistler

A post shared by Caroline Livesey (@caroline.livesey) on Jul 29, 2019 at 9:51am PDT

DOMESTIC RACING

Outlaw Triathlon (or Aquathlon…)

Yet again, the weather played its (unwelcome) part in what was the 10th birthday of the Nottingham-based Outlaw Triathlon. The course was signed off as good to go at 5:30, and then the rain came down in BIG style shortly before the 06:00 swim start, and before swim leader Carl Shaw has even made it back to dry land, the bike section had been – 100% correctly – cancelled, as the roads were not rideable. Check out the extended report and results HERE.

The London Triathlon

No Elite racing at the London Triathlon this year, but still plenty of athletes, racing across the range of formats and distances based at the ExCeL in London’s Docklands.

We’ve got the first of two athlete reports up from the event HERE, the second to follow later this week.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE LONDON TRIATHLON RESULTS

Solid workout this morning for the win @TheLondonTri Olympic Distance! Plan was to go all in on the swim and bike as building back from a run injury picked up after Holkham. Running pain free again, but ran within myself as a precaution. Definitely a step in the right direction! pic.twitter.com/NWYH5pE2r0

— William Kirk (@will_kirk1) July 28, 2019

We’ve also already got separate report online from the Scottish Aquathlon Championships (HERE) and the Odlo Snowman Triathlon (HERE).