Africa Triathlon

Reigning world champion Javier Gomez of Spain closed out his 2010 ITU season in style with a convincing win at the Huatulco ITU Triathlon World Cup.  Ruedi Wild won Switzerland’s second silver medal of the day while American Matt Chrabot, last year’s winner, came from behind to take the bronze.

“It was a real tough race because of the heat but I felt good,” said Gomez at the finish area.

A huge field of almost 70 men ran into Santa Cruz bay to begin the 1.5-kilometre swim.  With no one breaking clear from the field, a substantial group of more than 30 riders came together on the bike course.  Some athletes tried to get away but it wasn’t until the final laps on the bike that a small group claimed a significant lead.  Chrabot led the men into T2 and as they headed out onto 10-kilometer run course, the intense heat began to take its toll.

Gomez came off the bike trailing the leaders by almost a minute but in typical Gomez fashion, he made his move on the run.  Surging hard, the World Champion scorched the run course and created enough distance between him and the rest of the field to cruise to the finish line.  Gomez claimed his 12th career World Cup win, tying Canadian Simon Whitfield for second most by any male athlete in ITU history.

“In the first two laps I had to push really hard.  As soon as I caught the leaders I stayed a bit behind them and then I forced myself again to go fast and soon as I had a gap of 15-20 seconds, I controlled the distance because I didn’t feel very good but I did my job and I’m happy to win another World Cup,” said Gomez.

Wild celebrated down the finish chute as he came across the line, taking silver for the second straight year. 

“It was a really tough race, maybe one of the toughest races I’ve ever done but I’m absolutely pleased with my result and couldn’t have been better; second behind Javier is the best result I could have expected,” said Wild.

Last year’s champion Chrabot came from behind on the run to secure the bronze, his second World Cup podium this season after winning silver in Monterrey, Mexico earlier in the year.