Europe Triathlon

Hungary dominates the Junior Men’s Race.

Three continents take the podium in the Junior Women’s Race

Tiszaujvaros – not many can get this difficult pronunciation right and so worldwide the event is known, affectionately, as Tizzy. On the European and World schedule this is an event that has run for years and has a very special place in the hearts of athletes who have raced here and in the hearts of athletes who aspire to race here one day.

The city devotes the first ten days of August to a variety of sports. The city opens its arms to athletes from all over the world and then, once all the hard work is done, celebrates with its own very special after-race party.
The format for the triathletes racing in the Junior Category is for them to first test themselves over the semi -finals. A two-lap swim of 500m, then one loop of 12k on the bike to finish with 2 laps to make up 3.2k on the run. Then, once the seeding has taken place the final is over the same distance but a slightly different course. If we thought the Team Relays were tight and exciting, then this format, fast and furious, is just as visually thrilling. TV cameras around the course caught the images.

30 women made it to the final, representing 12 nations and with athletes coming from as far afield as New Zealand and Canada.

A clear lead from the water was established by Kristina URSIC (SLO), with six following her close by. It would be from that group of Anabel KNOLL (GER), Emy LEGAULT (CAN), Dóra FUCHS (HUN), Elise SALT (NZL), Dóra ZELOVICS (HUN) and Henrietta HARGITAI (HUN) that the medals would come.

With the fastest run of the day being posted by Salt, it was the Kiwi who took a comfortable gold. Silver went to Legault and Knoll took bronze with ease. Ursic, having worked hard on the swim and held it on the bike, placed 6th after a tough run.

Results Junior Women

In the men’s race the semi-finals delivered 30 athletes from 14 nations and as with the women’s race, we saw representation from more than just Europe. It was Kiwi Tayler REID who led out of the water, shoulder to shoulder with the Polish athlete Michał OLIWA. On their toes were the Hungarian athletes Márk DÉVAY and Patrik  ZÉKÁNY NAGY. In the top ten out of the water it was Hungarian domination and this would play an important role in the outcome of the race.

It was Bence BICSÁK who moved to the front in the run and devastated the field with the fastest run of the day to take gold 5 seconds ahead of the Kiwi Reid. Dévay took bronze. The athletes securing places on the podium were well clear of the chase pack.

Results Junior Men

Tizzy is over for another year but if you want to see fast and exciting racing in a city that dedicates itself to sport and where the party will go on until dawn, then make a note in your diaries.