For
immediate release: - Hamburg, Germany: A very
international field of the world's best men set off
for the start of the Hamburg ITU Triathlon World Cup
in blistering sunshine. An estimated 75,000 spectators
lined every available viewing point along the course,
and cheered with great enthusiasm for every single
athlete.
The
66 competitors that started the event got away to
a clean pontoon start for the 1 lap, 1.5km swim. The
field did not spread out at all except for a small
group off the front that included Stefan Poulat of
France, Daniel Unger of Germany and Vladimir Polikarpenko
of the Ukraine. Towards the end of the swim, the three
did manage to get away from the rest of the field,
and once into transition, Poulat and Unger joined
forces for the 8-lap 40km bike section. Polikarpenko
was left behind in the transition and waited for the
large group behind.
The
chase group was quickly organized by Australian teammates
Greg Bennett and Miles Stewart, as well as Britain's
Andrew Johns. Before the end of the second lap, the
gap to Poulat and Unger was bridged and one large
group was formed, with smaller groups behind. The
lead group stayed intact until a small, brave group
managed to make a break and then build their lead
to over 30 second by the time they reached the second
transition. The breakaway group included: the French
newcomer to World Cup racing, Cedric Deanaz, Austrian
team-mates Daniel Hechblaickner and Gerald Horvath,
as well as Levi Maxwell from Australia and Rene Goehler
of Germany.
Gerald
Horvath was first through the second transition and
onto the 10km run course, followed closely by Cedric
Deanaz. However, a 30 second lead just isn't enough
when you have the likes of Greg Bennett and Andrew
Johns in the hunt from behind. Cedric Deanaz gradually
worked his way to the front, and stayed there until
the 2nd of 4 laps when Greg Bennett and Andrew Johns
both reeled him in.
Cedric
did not back off when Bennett and Johns passed him,
but hooked on and ran at their pace. The three ran
together until the latter stages of the final lap
when Bennett gentle slipped into an extra gear and
took off, a move that was much appreciated by the
throng of spectators and their near-deafening roar.
It wouldn't be a sprint finish for 1st, as Bennett
won by almost 30seconds - today's sprint finish would
be between the young French upstart and the seasoned
veteran Andrew Johns. Experience won over youth on
this day, as Johns burst across the finish just ahead
of Deanaz. Vladimir Polikarpenko, who led out of the
water finished a credible 4th, with Kris Gemmell of
New Zealand 5th.
Stefan
Vuckovic, from Germany, the Olympic silver medallist,
finished 9th, which delighted everyone who knows Stefan,
as he has endured many months of recovery from injury
and then a serious viral infection.
Greg
Bennett's win solidified his grasp on the #1 spot
on the World Rankings. After the race he said, "I
felt like I let the win get away from me last weekend
at the Lausanne World Cup, and I just wasn't going
to let that happen again." Bennett was referring
to Filip Ospaly's burst at the finish to steal the
win from him.
7
countries had athletes in the top 10 at today Hamburg
ITU World Cup.
The
World Cup Series takes a two-week break then moves
on to Nice, France for Round 10 of the ITU World Cup
Series on 21 September. The ITU World Cup Series awards
valuable ponts to the World Rankings - the cardinal
criteria for qualification to the World Championships
and ultimately the Olympic Games Athens 2004
The
top 10 in today's event were:
1. BENNETT, Greg, AUS, 1:47.04
2. JOHNS, Andrew, GBR, 1:47.33
3. DEANAZ, Cedric, FRA, 1:47.35
4. POLIKARPENKO, Vladimir, UKR, 1:47.43
5. GEMMELL, Kris, NZL, 1:47.48
6. HENNING, Rasmus, DEN, 1:47.52
7. UNGER, Daniel, GER, 1:48.01
8. JENKINS, Marc, GBR, 1:48.12
9. VUCKOVIC, Stephan, GER, 1:48.16
10. DEHMER, Sebastian, GER, 1:48.18
For
more information, complete results, photos and race
video, see www.triathlon.org
High
resolution photos are also available
please contact ITU Headquarters at ituhdq@triathlon.org
