Powerman Austria
Weyer, Austria
Sunday, September 3, 2006
14k run, 76k bike, 7k run
Complete results

Joerie Vansteelant (BEL) made a breakthrough performance at Powerman Austria Duathlon in Weyer on September 3, 2006. The 24-year old broke the course record of 3:11:34 hrs by 4 minutes 14 seconds and celebrated his first win in the Powerman World Series with a time of 3:07:20. “I didn't expect it to be so fast”, said the two time U23 Duathlon World Champion. “Only 500 meters from the finish, when my father shouted at me, I realised that I will break the record. The course was hard, but the crowds were really fantastic.”

Vansteelant had no other athlete to go with him and was in the lead from gun to tape. This underlines the high quality of his performance, as the former course record holder, Huub Maas (NED), has set his mark in a thrilling competition at the Duathlon World Championships that were held in Weyer in 2002. Vansteelant not only broke the overall record time but also set a new best performance at the bike course over 76 K. He recorded 1:53:18 hrs in comparison to 1:56:19 hrs by Torbjorn Sindballe (DEN), one of the very best cyclists in duathlon and triathlon. In 2001, Joerie's brother, the multiple World Champion Benny Vansteelant, was the winner at Powerman Austria. Today Joerie emulated this success.

John Raadschelders, President of the International Powerman Association: “Joerie showed clearly that he has to be rated among the absolute top athletes in duathlon. This was a real breakthrough.” In the Powerman World Rankings he moved up from 7^th to 4 th place.

Second place in the competition went to Austrian Karl Prungraber (3:20:25), who after a 7^th place at Powerman Zofingen in 2004 and a an 8^th place at Powerman Austria in 2005 showed the race of his life. “This year I prepared myself only for this event. It is the greatest success I ever had.” Hans Fischer Mogensen (DEN) claimed third place in 3:23:16 hrs, ahead of another Austrian athlete, Willi Vorderderfler in 3:24:03.

In the womens race Sine Gasbjerg (DEN) broke away on the bike course from Michelle Parsons (GBR) to take her first international victory in a time of 3:48:31.

“The second running split was very hard for me. Right unitl the finish line I feared that somebody might overtake me.” Michelle Parsons clearly felt the consequences of Powerman Zofingen one week ago in her legs, but held on to take second place in 3:54:15. “If you start a race, you finish it”, she said. “I'd like to do this race again when I am fresh.” However, Parsons moved up one place in the Powerman World Ranking and is now in the lead ahead of Erika Csomor (HUN). Surprisingly, Solveig von der Fecht of Germany came in at third position, ahead of Ulli Puchner, the first female Austrian athlete.

A total of 705 people from 19 nations have named themselves to take part in the various events of the race weekend. Hugo Mayer from the organising team: “Joerie Vansteelant has produced a sensational result and the Austrian athletes have performed very well. The tenth edition of Powerman Austria with great athletes and a great atmosphere has proved to be another success for the event.”

Men:
1. Joerie Vansteelant (BEL) 3:07:20
2. Karl Prungraber (AUT - TriRun Linz) 3:20:25
3. Hans Fischer Mogensen (DEN) 3:23:16
4. Willi Vorderderfler (AUT - Top Sport Kolland Asics) 3:24:03
5. Daniel Fekl (CZE) 3:27:08
6. Pete Jacobs (AUS) 3:27:50
7. Christian Froschauer (AUT - Team Zisser Enns) 3:28:25
8. Sigi Bauer (AUT - RedHotChilli Güssing) 3:28:51
9. Bernd Weis (GER) 3:29:22
10. Soren Bystrup Jacobsen (DEN) 3:30:09

Women:
1. Sine Gasbjerg (DEN) 3:48:31
2. Michelle Parsons (GBR) 3:54:14
3. Solveig von der Fecht (GER) 3:55:35
4. Ulli Puchner (AUT) 3:58:31
5. Astrid Kopp (AUT) 4:02:47