 |
Nicola Spirig (SUI) snatches Madrid round of ITU World Triathlon Series, final Olympic qualification event
Madrid, Spain (26 May 2012) - Switzerland’s Nicola Spirig (SUI) powered away to her second ITU World Triathlon Madrid title after showing incredible strength in the final metres of the run. Spirig pulled away to a sprint finish for gold ahead of Aileen Morrison (IRL) and Barbara Riveros Diaz (CHI) who took silver and bronze respectively. The day also saw Olympic dreams realised and shattered as final London 2012 spots were decided in this, the final race in Olympic qualification.
The race began under milder temperatures of a late start for a non-wetsuit swim in Casa de Campo lake. Carolina Routier (ESP) and Abbie Thorrington (GBR) led a large field of over 20 out of the 1.5km swim and into T1. Nicky Samuels(NZL) put in a great second lap on the swim edging her way into the leading group with thoughts of Olympic qualification no doubt at the forefront of her mind.
The group headed out onto the bike within 12 seconds of one other and included Rachel Klamer (NED), Vicky Holland (GBR), Liz Blatchford (GBR) and Ainhoa Murua(ESP).
Gaining the advantage out of T2 was Spirig, Murua, Haug, Klamer, Kathrin Muller (GER), Holland and Tomoko Sakimoto(JPN) who quickly put a little fresh air between themselves and a similar sized group a few seconds behind.
By lap two of the four-lap run, the gruelling bike leg was beginning to take its toll on some of the women as Murua and Holland began to drop off the pace. However, on the contrary Morrison dug deep to join the leaders now made up of Spirig, Haug and Riveros Diaz. It was not until the final 400 metres that Spirig began to push. Morrison and Riveros Diaz followed suit, but the sprint to the line was won by Spirig who claims her second WTS title in Madrid and continues her high class form in 2012.
ITU World Triathlon Madrid – 26 May 2012
Final Results – Elite Women – 1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
| 1. | Nicola Spirig | SUI | 02:06:35 | |
| 2. | Aileen Morrison | IRL | 02:06:38 | |
| 3. | Barbara Riveros Diaz | CHI | 02:06:40 | |
| 4. | Anne Haug | GER | 02:06:43 | |
| 5. | Rachel Klamer | NED | 02:07:05 | |
| 6. | Ainhoa Murua | ESP | 02:07:18 | |
| 7. | Vicky Holland | GBR | 02:07:20 | |
| 8. | Alexandra Razarenova | RUS | 02:07:32 | |
| 9. | Andrea Hewitt | NZL | 02:07:38 | |
| 10. | Liz Blatchford | GBR | 02:07:43 |
