High powered Kiwi team shut out of medals

New Plymouth, New Zealand (April 6, 2008) – He’s finished the last two years as the number one triathlete in the world and with every passing race, continues to assert himself as the man to beat for Olympic gold in Beijing this summer. This weekend Spanish sensation Javier Gomez took a mind-bending 14 world cup podium streak into the New Plymouth BG Triathlon World Cup. Not only did he extend that streak to 15, he left town with his ninth career world cup title. And the manner in which he won was downright scary.

Gomez called it his best race ever and will probably go down as one of the most impressive performances in triathlon history. After winning the season opener in Mooloolaba last week, Gomez ran a head-shaking 29:37 on a run course that race officials accurately measured at 10.2 kilometers for his second world cup title in as many weeks.

“It’s amazing, two weeks, two victories. This was my best race ever. It’s the best way to start the season. It was a difficult race and I am very happy.” said Gomez. “It’s a great start but the Olympics are still a ways away and there is lots to do.”

Not able to keep up with his Spanish rival, Aussie Brad Kahlefeldt once again finished runner-up taking the silver 31 seconds behind. British veteran Andrew Johns made it back to the world cup podium with a bronze, his first medal since a bronze in Makuhari, Japan in 2003

Gomez and Kahlefeldt were both in the chase group as they came into T2 down by more than a full minute. Together they reeled in the leaders which included Kiwi Terenzo Bozzone, Maik Petzold of Germany and Johns. After running side-by-side early in the run, Gomez turned to his bread and butter; laying down the most punishing run pace possible and leaving his fellow competitors behind. Kahlefeldt couldn’t respond and watched Gomez bolt away for the win.

“We started the run really fast, Brad and me. I was more worried about Brad, more than the front guys,” said Gomez.

His nine world cup titles moves him into sole possession of fourth place among all-time world cup winners and within one of active-leader Simon Whitfield of Canada. Even his peers were in awe of Gomez today.

“All credit to Javier, he was absolutely flying out there and there wasn’t much I could do today to beat him,” said Kahlefeldt. “That was one of the fastest runs I’ve done on the circuit and it was a tough course as well.”

Bronze medalist Johns was part of the lead group that held a minute lead over Gomez and Kahlefeldt but knew he had his work cut out for him to stay on the podium.

“We had a minute off the bike so I thought, ‘Just relax’. I thought I’d just wait for Javier. I thought we would have until the 7km mark. I think he caught us in less then 5k and I went, ‘Whoa’. I tried to go with him but that boy’s got some serious pace and I think I lasted 300 meters,” said Johns.

New Zealand’s Kris Gemmell came back with an excellent final leg himself to take fourth place while Belgian Peter Croes tied his best ever world cup performance taking the fifth spot. Bevan Docherty withdrew from the race midway through the bike and failed to finish while Shane Reed, who was recently named to the New Zealand Olympic team did not start due to a back injury sustained in Mooloolaba last week.

Earlier in the day, the elite women tackled the New Plymouth course. Olympic hopeful Emma Moffatt was keen to stake her claim to an Olympic spot. She finished as the third Aussie in Mooloolaba and won’t be racing in Ishigaki next weekend so she knew this was her final chance to impress Australian Olympic selectors. But a strong Kiwi team that included Samantha Warriner, Andrea Hewitt and Nicky Samuels was equally as eager to win on home soil.

A large group of women with all the pre-race favorites exited the water closely bunched together. They rode in the lead pack in the 40-kilometer bike leg with a number of others including Swede Lisa Norden and Brit Andrea Whitcombe. In the final lap, Samuels, who was named an alternate to the New Zealand Olympic team, broke away from the field and rode into T2 solo. As Samuels headed out onto the 10-kilometer run course, she held a 35-second lead over chase pack which included Moffatt, Warriner, Norden, Felicity Abram, Liz Blatchford and Hewitt.

But Samuels wasn’t able to hold the lead in the run and within the first three kilometers, she was reeled in by strong runners Moffatt, Abram and Norden. The three ran together for most of the run until Moffatt blew away with her strong finishing kick, crossing the line to take her second career world cup title. The victory adds to an already impressive 2008 season in which she has collected wins at the Oceania championships and at the Gold Coast. She has to be considered the front runner for selection to the Australian Olympic team, joining three-time world champion Emma Snowsill.

“I had a bit of pressure on myself for today to make sure I performed since and it was the last opportunity to do this, so I had to see what I could do and I guess I did it,” said Moffatt.

One week after making triathlon history as the first Swedish athlete to medal at a world cup, Lisa Norden has done it again, this time taking silver. She also takes over the number one ranking in the world after just two world cup races. It’s not only a breakthrough for Norden but also for the Team BG Elite Athlete Development Programme. Moffatt’s teammate and fellow Aussie Olympic hopeful Felicity Abram took the bronze for her first career world cup podium finish.

Swiss Daniela Ryf had the best world cup performance of her career finishing in fourth while Liz Blatchford of Great Britain rounded out the top five. Kiwis placed three in the top ten while young Aussie Alee Sharp nailed down her second straight world cup top ten.

Olympic champion Kate Allen had a disappointing start to her season as she crashed on the fourth lap of the bike with American Mary Beth Ellis and Evgeniya Matveeva. All three failed to finish.

2008 New Plymouth BG Triathlon World Cup
Elite Women – Official Results
1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
Gold – Emma Moffatt (AUS) 2:01:01
Silver – Lisa Norden (SWE) 2:01:07
Bronze – Felicity Abram (AUS) 2:01:16
4 – Daniela Ryf (SUI) 2:01:48
5 - Liz Blatchford (GBR) 2:01:48
6 - Andrea Whitcombe (GBR) 2:01:59
7 – Nicky Samuels (NZL) 2:02:10
8 – Samantha Warriner (NZL) 2:02:42
9 – Alee Sharp (AUS) 2:02:51
10 – Andrea Hewitt (NZL) 2:03:02

2008 New Plymouth BG Triathlon World Cup
Elite Men – Official Results
1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
Gold – Javier Gomez (ESP) 1:47:33
Silver – Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS) 1:48:03
Bronze – Andrew Johns (GBR) 1:48:16
4 – Kris Gemmell (NZL) 1:48:26
5 – Peter Croes (BEL) 1:48:30
6 – Paul Tichelaar (CAN) 1:48:46
7 – Brendan Sexton (AUS) 1:48:54
8 – Dmitriy Gaag (KAZ) 1:48:57
9 – Stuart Hayes (GBR) 1:48:58
10 – Dan Wilson (AUS) 1:49:03

photos: Simon Grimmett/triathlon.org

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