International Duathlon of Gernika- Race Report
The 2009 International Duathlon of Gernika was once again an outstanding success, despite the late withdrawal of pre race favourite Javier Gomez Noya with a foot injury. A percussion band livened up the crowd of over 8000 spectators who lined the 2.5k running circuit to cheer on the athletes and salute the victories of ITU World #1 Duathlete, Belgian Bart Aernouts and Czech triathlete, Vendula Frintova.
In the woman's race, an elite lead group of Frintova, European Duathlon Champion Radka Vodickova (CZE), Alexandre Louison (FRA) and Inma Ruiz (ESP) quickly formed on the opening run lap and continued to build on their lead as they passed through 5km in 17.05. The group remained unchanged during the undulating 27km cycle leg as the group worked steadily through the scenic cycling route. The final transition proved decisive as Frintova opened up a break which she held to the finish ahead of Vodickova and Louison, with Ruiz rounding out the top 4.
The men's race was exceptionally quick from the outset as 5 * Spanish Duathlon Champion, Javier Garcia pushed the early tempo. The group passed 5k in 15 minutes and the group had been whittled down to 13 athletes, including the main contenders from Spain, Belgium, France, Mexico and Australia. Onto the bike and the attacks came quickly and continuously until a break of three athletes, Aernouts and Frenchman Laurent Galinier and Nico Capoferri formed after 8km of the circuit. The three leaders built a commanding 2 minute lead over the remaining 19k as the chase group struggled to work together effectively in the chase and Aernouts relentlessly drove the pace of the leading trio.
On the final run, Aernouts demonstrated his strength by running away from Galinier (2nd) and Capoferri (3rd). In the chase, Garcia and Victor Del Corales managed to establish a 20 second lead in the final 5k of the bike and Garcia held 4th place to the finish, while Corales was caught and passed by Australian, James Attard in the final metres of the run in a battle for 5th place.
Results:
Women's Results
1 1 FRINTOVA, VERDULA INDEPENDIENTE ABF 1:15:26
2 7 VODICKOVA, RADKA INDEPENDIENTE ABF 1:15:32
3 4 LOUISON, ALEXANDRA INVERSE DITEC T. VILANOVA ABF 1:15:49
4 19 PEREIRO GONZALEZ, INMACULAD SVC- SEGURIDAD ABF 1:16:11
5 22 CASARES POLO, ANA VALLE EGÜES HIRUKI TRIATLON ABF 1:19:36
6 35 ALLES CAMPAMA, CRISTINA T. SANTANDER V1F 1:21:02
7 28 RAFAEL SALAS, INMA BILBAOTRI ABF 1:21:22
8 2 FRADES LARRALDE, GURUTZE INDEPENDIENTE ABF 1:23:49
9 3 RUIZ TERAN, INMACULADA BILBAOTRI V1F 1:24:08
10 38 ETXABURU IRUSTA, IRATI CODEAM TRIATLOI ELKARTEA Z ABF 1:24:22
Men's Results
1 171 AERNOUTS, BART INVERSE DITEC T. VILANOVA ABM 1:04:29
2 175 GALINIER, LAURENT MARVILLE TRIATHLON ABM 1:04:37
3 173 CAPOFERRI, NICOLAS SABLES VENDEE ABM 1:04:48
4 121 GARCIA GOMEZ, JAVIER KEBI -TRIATLON- ABM 1:06:19
5 119 ATTARD, JAMES URDAITRI T.T. ABM 1:06:28
6 181 DEL CORRAL MORALES, VICTOR INVERSE DITEC T. VILANOVA ABM 1:06:28
7 117 BAUGH, RAF COLBY URDAITRI T.T. ABM 1:06:39
8 250 SALAZAR, MARIO INDEPENDIENTE ABM 1:06:52
9 101 ETXEANDIA LEJARCEGUI, IURGI EXTREM ZORNOTZA ABM 1:07:01
10 169 DEREERE, JURGEN INVERSE DITEC T. VILANOVA ABM 1:07:11
OTHER
11 123 TOVAR ESPADA, JOSE MANUEL INDEPENDIENTE ABM 1:07:16
13 179 ZAMORA PEREZ, MARCEL CLUB NATACIO BARCELONA ABM 1:08:19
16 177 DE TORRES ZARZALEJOS, BENITO AQUASLAVA-SERVICON ABM 1:08:34
Race Videos are available at www.triatlonchannel.com and full results and photos at www.duatlongernika.com
The 2010 International Duathlon of Gernika will have Spanish, Basque and English versions on the official website www.duatlongernika.com and a special international package is being planned for foreign elite and age group athletes wishing to experience the race and unique Basque Culture.
