Africa Triathlon

Marion Legrand (FRA) got the elite racing at the World Multisport Championships off to an electric start with a bravura performance in the women’s duathlon. A cool breeze offered the athletes a slight respite from the Queensland heat however Legrand was in no mood to offer the same to her rivals.

“It feels really amazing to be the Duathlon World Champion,” said Legrand after the race. “I was inspired by the French team at the Olympic Games in Paris and I wanted to do well also in the duathlon. Today was my main goal for this season and I am very happy with my performance. I want to dedicate today’s race to my wife, she couldn’t race here because she is injured but she was here today with me in my heart”.

Eager to impress before an audience of fellow Australians, Richelle Hill (AUS) shot into an early lead on the run. She was tailed by Aspen Anderson (AUS), who won the Oceania Junior Championships in triathlon earlier in the year. Phoebe Barker (GBR), reigning European champion Legrand and Ai Ueda (JPN) were also among the front group that jostled for the early lead with Hill, as was Jeanne Dupont (BEL). Charlotte McShane (AUS) dangled off the back of the lead group, though, in a shift from her standard triathlon racing.

After the second lap of the opening run, the field splintered and Barker led Legrand and Hill into T1. Barker could not live with the tempo set by her fellow leaders during the first of the four bike laps and fell back. By the end of the 20km Legrand and Hill carried a lead of over a minute into T2. A late injection of speed put Legrand into transition first and she extended her lead with a fast changeover. The race was then soon settled within the opening salvo of the run.

Already the European champion, Legrand powered home to seal a maiden world title. Meanwhile, Hill consolidated her position and took home the World U23 title alongside her senior silver medal. “I am so happy. I didn’t expect this coming into this race, but the crowds lifted me,” said Hill. “It was amazing to hear them and to be able to race with them today. I know that I’ve raced today with some of the best duathletes in the world, especially Marion Legrand. I saw her bike skills and it was amazing. My coach told me to go conservative but when I was on top of the hill on the first lap I thought… oh no, I am not going conservative at all. But I knew I had the legs so I just went on”.

Shortly after, Dupont crossed for 3rd place overall and 2nd in the U23 standings. She said she was “very happy” after the race. ”I was injured coming here so I am super pleased with my performance today.” Anderson would later round out the U23 podium.

Earlier in the day, Lulu Johnson (NZL) secured the junior women’s world title with a commanding victory in which she led from start to finish. Completing the medallists were Lucie Francis (AUS) and Hannah Pollock (AUS).