Africa Triathlon

Australian Dan Wilson came from behind to claim his first career World Cup victory today in Tongyeong, South Korea.  A pair of former Junior World Champions from France won silver and bronze.  Aurelien Raphael was second and Vincent Luis won an exciting 4-way sprint to take the bronze.

“It feels really good.  I’m happy with the race,” said Wilson at the finish area.  “It was a tough race out there and didn’t go smoothly from the start.”

A large group of men exited the water from the 1.5-kilometre swim and headed onto to the moderately hilly 40-kilometre bike course within 30 seconds of each other.  A group of about 18 men, which included a few Russians and the Frenchmen Luis and Raphael, broke away and built a lead of 40 seconds.  They continued to put time on the rest of the field as the lead swelled.  Wilson rode in the main chase pack and would have his work out for him on the run.

Early on the flat 10-kilometre run course, the leaders were Luis, Raphael, Korean Min Ho Heo, Premsyl Svarc and Jan Celustka.  Wilson trailed by about 40 seconds as he hit the run course but with a torrid pace, he bridged up to the leaders midway through the run.  It wasn’t long until Wilson accelerated past to become the new leader.  He broke the tape at 1:49:36 to secure take the Tongyeong ITU Triathlon World Cup title. 

Raphael was 16 seconds behind second while the battle was on for bronze behind him.  Luis out-sprinted a pair of Czechs and local favourite Heo of South Korea to take the final podium position. 

“I was not good on the run at the beginning but it got better and at the finish, I know that I can win on the sprint so I just had to wait for the last 100 meters and sprint faster than the others so it was a good run for me,” said Luis after the race.

Heo thrilled the home crowd throughout the race but just came up short in his bid for the podium.  But his 6th place finish was by far the best result for any Korean athlete in a World Cup in ITU history.  Czechs rounded out the top five with Celustka finishing fourth and Svarc crossing in fifth for the second straight week after last week’s fifth place in Huatulco.