BEIJING, China – After being out-run for the world championship two weeks ago in Hamburg, some may have whispered about Javier Gomez’s status as the early favorite for Olympic gold. But the world number one firmly silenced any critics with a commanding win at the Beijing BG Triathlon World Cup, the official Olympic test event. Gomez used another devastating run to bury the field and coast to his fourth world cup title of the year. While Olympic gold may not have been on the line this time, Gomez also gained a psychological edge over his competitors.

Australian Courtney Atkinson, winner of five world cups in Japan, continued his success in Asia with a second place finish, while Olympic silver medalist Bevan Docherty came across for third. Despite the world championship caliber field that included several world and Olympic medalists, no one threatened Gomez’s ascent to the top and he was cautiously delighted with today’s victory.

“It feels really good to win here on the Olympic course but I think it’s going to be different next year. Of course I’m really confident after this race but I know the Olympic Games are going to be more difficult than now,” said Gomez.

Many in the field were seeking a spot on their own Olympic team as several National Federations have designated this world cup as a key qualified in their selection process. After diving off the pontoon and swimming one lap in the Chang Ping reservoir, American Andy Potts exited the water in the lead as he often does. Just ten seconds behind him was Gomez and a further four seconds back was a host of serious podium threats including last year’s winner Frederic Belaubre, 2005 winner Hunter Kemper, Aussie Courtney Atkinson and Canadian Simon Whitfield.

Out onto the 40-kilometer bike course, the drama began early as 2006 world champion Tim Don of Great Britain was forced to withdraw after a crash with Omar Tayara of Syria. They were two of a dozen men who pulled out during the tough 6-lap course. With as many as 61 riders within ten seconds of each other, a few men tried to break away including New Zealand veteran Shane Reed and Brit Will Clarke but both were eventually brought back to the main group.

Out of the second transition, former world champion Ivan Rana took the early lead but it wasn’t long before he was passed by his teammate, Gomez. This year’s European champion laid down a punishing pace and immediately surged to an insurmountable lead. Whitfield, the 2000 Olympic champion, tried to go with the leader but after the second lap, the Spaniard opened up a 21-second lead. Already a winner of three world cups this year and known as one of the greatest runners in triathlon, he ran his first lap of 2.5 kilometers in 6 minutes and 40 seconds.

“I wanted to test myself,” Gomez said of his run. “I had a good second transition and at the start I decided to push really really hard on the first lap. When I saw the gap, I just try to keep it. It was difficult, it was so hard but I think I did a great run, maybe the best one of the season.”

Taking the bell lap, Gomez owned a 30-second lead and it was clearly evident no other man in the field would catch him. He absolutely hammered the Olympic course with the day’s best run time of 30:41 as he came across the line as the victor. Gomez remains firm as the world number one and extends his lead to 112 points over Whitfield who maintains his spot at number two.

After Gomez, the battle was on for silver and bronze. Atkinson out-sprinted Olympic silver medalist Bevan Docherty down the stretch for the silver medal. Kris Gemmell came across the line in fourth place, missing the podium but earning an Olympic spot along with Docherty as the top two Kiwis.

“I wanted to pace the first two laps and bring it home strong and once I saw Javier was up the road I wasn’t prepared to risk it for fear of blowing up,” said Docherty. “I stuck to the plan and did what I had to do today, which was qualifying for Beijing.”

It was also a big day for Jarrod Shoemaker as he also earns an Olympic spot as the top American today, beating out Olympic veterans Potts and Kemper. Whitfield rounded out the top five while Belaubre failed to make the Beijing podium for the first time.

In all, 16 men succumbed to the tough Beijing course and conditions and failed to finish, including big names such as Rasmus Henning, Filip Ospaly, Sven Riederer and Simon Thompson.

2007 Beijing BG Triathlon World Cup – Final Men’s Results:
1st – Javier Gomez (ESP) 1:48:41
2nd – Courtney Atkinson (AUS) 1:49:04
3rd – Bevan Docherty (NZL) 1:49:08
4th – Kris Gemmell (NZL) 1:49:15
5th – Simon Whitfield (CAN) 1:49:18
6th – Ivan Rana (ESP) 1:49:23
7th – William Clarke (GBR) 1:49:26
8th – Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS) 1:49:34
9th – Frederic Belabure (FRA) 1:49:37
10th – Jan Frodeno (GER) 1:49:44

Up next:
On October 7, the 2007 BG Triathlon World Cup series next moves to the birthplace of the Olympic Games, Greece. It will be the first time a world cup will be staged in Greece since the Olympic test event in Athens in 2003. The picturesque island of Rhodes will host the women’s and men’s races.

For live coverage and more information, log onto triathlon.org.