World Cup Hamburg
Hamburg, Germany
September 9, 2006
1.5k swim, 40k draft legal bike, 10k run

Men
1. GOMEZ, Javier (ESP)                     1:43:01
2. RIEDERER, Sven (SUI)                    1:43:15
3. KAHLEFELDT, Brad (AUS)          1:43:21
4. DOCHERTY, Bevan (NZL)                   1:43:24
5. POTTS, Andy (USA)                       1:43:25
6. KEMPER, Hunter (USA)                    1:43:26
7. CLARKE, William (GBR)                   1:43:27
8. POLIKARPENKO, Volodymyr (UKR)   1:43:29
9. UNGER, Daniel (GER)                     1:43:32
10. MOULAI, Tony (FRA)                      1:43:37

Women
1. FERNANDES, Vanessa (POR)                1:53:11
2. TANNER, Debbie (NZL)                    1:53:22
3. BENNETT, Laura (USA)                    1:54:36
4. BURGOS, Ana (ESP)                       1:54:53
5. DITTMER, Anja (GER)                     1:55:08
6. FRANZMANN, Joelle (GER)         1:55:15
7. LISK, Ricarda (GER)                     1:55:35
8. WARRINER, Samantha (NZL)                1:55:42
9. DUFFY, Flora (BER)                      1:55:47
10. HASKINS, Sarah (USA)                    1:55:47

http://88.151.71.251/2006/hcm_elite/index.php http://88.151.71.251/2006/hcm_elite/index.php

Known for its sports-crazy inhabitants, Germany's second largest city of Hamburg played host to the twelfth stop of the 2006 BG Triathlon World Cup series this weekend.  Javier Gomez of Spain and Vanessa Fernandes of Portugal both unleashed crippling runs to claim victory in their respective races in front of an estimated 310,000 spectators over the two days of competition.

In a preview of the 2007 BG Triathlon World Championships, which will be held on the very same course in late August of next year, the 23-year-old Spaniard and the 20-year-old Portuguese athlete walked away with the gold.

On Saturday an outstanding field of triathlon champions and veterans could not overcome the young Spaniard Gomez as he cruised to his second world cup victory of the season at the 2006 Hamburg BG Triathlon World Cup.  Olympic bronze medalist Sven Riederer of Switzerland was second, and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Brad Kahlefeldt of Australia, finished third in the test event for the 2007 BG Triathlon World Championships. 

Gomez was able to beat out a world-class field over the 1,500 metre swim, 40 kilometre bike and 10 kilometre run for his fourth world cup podium in five races.

“I did not expect to win,” stated the 23 year old Gomez. “I did not feel very good last week in Lausanne so I was hungry to do well today and I am very pleased with the result.  I think it was the fastest run of my life”

The cool waters of Alster Lake made for a wetsuit swim as 81 men took their marks for the starting horn.  As a result of the wetsuits it was American Andy Potts who led a long string of athletes out of the water and onto the bike course.

During the bike there were many unsuccessful break away attempts and at the end of the 40 kilometre ride it the one large group headed out onto the flat run course.

After a strong swim and bike it was a slow second transition from the bike to run that had Gomez playing catch-up to a small group of the world's top triathletes.  This elite group contained the likes of Riederer, Kahlefeldt, Olympic Silver medalist Bevan Docherty of New Zealand, three-time world champions Peter Robertson of Australia and world number one ranked Hunter Kemper from the USA, among others.

Gomez did not stay with the group long as he took off through the streets of downtown Hamburg to the cheers of an estimated 140,000 spectators.  Having time to clap and wave to the crowd, Gomez's time of 1:43:01 bested his closest rival Riederer by 14 seconds and third place Kahlefeldt by another 5 seconds.

“I am still growing up in this sport,” commented the university student Gomez. “I would like to be at the top in two or three years.”  The young Spaniard is well on his way, moving up to third in the world with his win today.

Riederer and Kahlefeldt raced neck in neck until the last 200 metres when the Swiss athlete started his sprint to the line.

“I think I felt stronger than Brad in the run, I always have a good sprint finish and I pushed very hard 200 metres from the end and Brad could not come with me.” explained Riederer, who finished third here last year.

“The last 500 metres we really pushed it,” responded Kahlefeldt, who moves into first place in the world cup rankings after today.  “I kept the pace on just to keep Bevan [Docherty] away.  I just wanted the podium today to build my points up for the world rankings. “

The sun came out for the women's race on Sunday where, world number one ranked, Vanessa Fernandes of Portugal was able to beat out a stellar international women's field for her eleventh straight triathlon world cup win in a row.  Fernandes' time of 1:53:11 was 11 seconds faster then her closest rival Debbie Tanner of New Zealand and third place Laura Bennett of the United States, who was a further minute and 14 seconds back.

“We have a beautiful race today and a great crowd and I am so pleased to win today,” said Fernandes, who will celebrate her 21^st birthday in four days. “It means that I am prepared for next year at the World Championships.”

After finishing second one week ago at the 2006 Triathlon World Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland, Fernandes was on good form to win today's preview of next year's world championships.  The world-class field of athletes brought a total of 310,000 cheering spectators onto the course over the two days of racing, officials announced.

“The crowd is so great and it was good to be back today and have a good race,” commented Bennett, who hasn't raced here since 2002. “They [the crowd] really do lift you and the German's are great at lifting you.”

 
After the 1,500 metre wetsuit swim in Alster Lake a small group of women including Fernandes, Tanner, Bennett, Liz Blatchford of Great Britain, Emma Moffat of Australia and German favourite Joelle Franzmann exited the water just behind American swimming prodigy Sara McLarty. 

These seven women quickly formed a lead group at the front of the bike and worked well together over the flat and fast bike course.  By the end of the 8-lap, 40 kilometre bike leg this small pack was able to put a 90 second gap between themselves and the large chase pack of 26 athletes.  With some of the sport's best runners in this small lead group it was only a question of what three would stand on the podium.

Immediately onto the 4-lap 10 kilometre run it was Fernandes and Tanner who separated themselves from the rest of the field and ran shoulder to shoulder for the first 7 kilometres.  Both women had something to prove after being favourites going into last weekend's world championships where a disappointing run left Fernandes with the silver medal and a bike crash left Tanner in 23^rd spot.

“On the run I didn't start very well and had to chase Debbie Tanner because she was running very well, commented Fernandes.  “Only in the third lap did I push and tried hard to find my rhythm again.”

Fernandes made her move with 3 kilometres to go and although Tanner responded at first, she was unable to hold the pace of the fleet-footed Portuguese athlete.

“When she kicked she kicked pretty hard and she got a little gap which I tried to bridge but wasn't able, responded the 23-year-old Tanner. “All credit to her she did really well. It was really exciting to get out there and be up there on the run and be able to contest it.”

With the win Fernandes stays atop of the 2006 BG Triathlon World Cup standings.  Franzmann and Canadian Lauren Groves remain in second and third after their results today.

Officials and organisers were impressed with today's result and are looking forward to next year when Hamburg will play host to the 2007 BG Triathlon World Championships.