Duathlon World Championships

Rimini, Italy (September 27, 2008) - Olympic silver medallist Vanessa Fernandes of Portugal successfully defended her ITU Duathlon World Championship today in Italy. It was a commanding victory for Fernandes on a day marred by controversy in the men's race. Belgian Rob Woestenborghs was first across the line but after his own teammate lodged a protest, Woestenborghs was later disqualified by race officials thereby giving the world championship title to Paul Amey of Great Britain.

Women's Review
Fernandes opened the race with the fastest 10-kilometer run among the women, taking a 44-second lead heading out onto the 40-kilometer bike course. One of the most powerful cyclists in the sport, the defending champion extended her lead with the fastest bike split. Glasgow's Catriona Morrison cut the deficit to put herself in medal contention but no one challenged Fernandes who coasted to victory and won by more than 90 seconds.

"Today I could do a good run and a good bike, it was a surprise for me but I think it was a good way to finish the season so I'm happy," said Fernandes. Since taking silver at the Beijing Olympic Games, Fernandes won her 9th European title with the under23 championship and now her second Duathlon world title.

Morrison, who only started her season last month due to knee surgery in April, adds to her long distance world championship won in August with today's silver. Beijing Olympian Ana Burgos of Spain took the bronze.

2008 Rimini ITU Duathlon World Championships, Italy
10km run, 40km bike, 5k run
Final Results - Elite Women
Gold - Vanessa Fernandes (POR) 02:00:51 click here for interview click here for profile
Silver - Catriona Morrison (GBR) 02:02:29
Bronze - Ana Burgos (ESP) 02:04:27
4 - Alexandra Louison (FRA) 02:04:51
5 - Laura Giordano (ITA) 02:05:09
6 - Radka Vodickova (CZE) 02:05:16
7 - Ewa Dederko (POL) 02:05:35
8 - Eva Janssen (NED) 02:05:42
9 - Ruth Van der Meijden (NED) 02:05:52
10 - Beatriz Jimenez Tome (ESP) 02:05:59



Men's Review
The controversial men's race opened with a pair of Portuguese men, Sergio Silva and Lino Barruncho, taking the early lead. But the main players, Amey, Woestenborghs and Belgians Bart Aernouts and Jurgen Dereere trailed by just seven seconds. The drama began early in the 40-kilometer bike segment as all six men were in the lead pack. According to Dereere, his Belgian teammate Woestenborghs was cycling dangerously. Eventually Amey, Aernouts and Woestenborghs broke away and went on to post the three fastest bike splits of the day by almost two full minutes. That lead was enough for all three to secure the podium with Woestenborghs crossing the line first, Amey second and Aernouts in third.

However, after the race, Dereere filed a protest with race officials against Woestenborghs for his aggressive riding. Officials said it was a tough call but ultimately disqualified both men for what was deemed "unsportsmanlike and dangerous behaviour on the first lap of the bike segment which risked the safety of the competitors around them". Click here to hear the official announcement of the disqualification

With the disqualification, Amey was crowned world champion for the third time in his career, successfully defending last year's title. But the bitter sweetness of the occasion was not lost on him.

"It's pretty disappointing to win the world championships in this way. (Rob) definitely deserved to win today," said Amey.

Aernouts was awarded the silver while Silva was bumped to the bronze medal position. After being dropped from the lead pack in the bike, Dereere fell further behind and finished well back and outside the top-20. The disqualification is final and Woestenborghs cannot appeal the decision. He was not available for comment after the disqualification.

2008 Rimini ITU Duathlon World Championships, Italy
10km run, 40km bike, 5k run
Final Results - Elite Men
Gold - Paul Amey (GBR) 01:48:00
Silver - Bart Aernouts (BEL) 01:48:07
Bronze - Sergio Silva (POR) 01:48:36
4 - Sergey Yakovlev (RUS) 01:48:52
5 - Brand Du Plessis (RSA) 01:48:56
6 - Lino Barruncho (POR) 01:49:05
7 - Marek Jaskolka (POL) 01:49:09
8 - Alessio Picco (ITA) 01:49:11
9 - Yohann Vincent (FRA) 01:49:18
10 - Kris Coddens (BEL) 01:49:35
DQ - Rob Woestenborghs (BEL)
DQ - Jurgen Dereere (BEL)

This was the 19th edition of the ITU Duathlon World Championships. Next year the world championships will be held in Concord, North Carolina, United States. The race was standard ITU Duathlon distance: 10-kilometer run, 40-kilometer bike, 5-kilometer run. Click here for more event information

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