Europe Triathlon

Agnieszka Jerzyk secured her first podium since April with a sensational final run here at Karlovy Vary.

For the second year running, this demanding triathlon course and high temperatures have suited the Polish triathletes, as Jerzyk follows her countryman Ewa Komander’s victory here last year.

In the Men’s race, there was double podium joy for the Ukrainian team as Yegor Martynenko and Danylo Sapunov sandwiched Australian Ryan Baillie.

Elite Women’s Review

The crowds at Karlovy Vary have grown accustomed to exciting Triathlon races over the past few years and this race was no exception. There were some stand out performances amongst the field, including the winner Agnieszka Jerzyk (POL) and the Italian duo of Gaia Peron and Daniela Chmet.

It was Peron and Kueng (SUI) who set the pace on the opening swim as they exited the water tied for the lead. The pair maintained their leading positions on the bike but amongst the chasing pack were some strong runners waiting for the right moment to strike.

As soon as the race entered the running stage, Jerzyk (POL) showed her strength by powering into the lead. Over the four lap course she was pushed all the way by Helle Frederiksen (DEN) but Jerzyk never looked like giving up the lead and she crossed the line in first place in a time 2:07:23. Frederiksen was never threatened for second place although a tight battle ensued for the third and final podium sport.

Early pace setter and long-time leader Peron just ran out of steam on the final run and she was pipped into third place by her fellow countryman Daniela Chmet.

Elite Men’s Review

At the start of the Men’s race there were seventy names. As much as the weather changed so did the leading positions, which at times on the bike looked like a little Italian Championship.

Micha Zimmer (GER), Manuel Kueng (SUI) and Pierre Le Corre (FRA) were the first athletes out of the water. Once on the bike five Italian athletes; Alessandroni, Casadei, Uccellari, Facchinetti and Molinari were amongst the leading pack, constantly working together as a team at the forefront of the cycle.

As they entered T2, it was the Italian trio of Alessandroni, Casadei and Facchinetti who held the podium positions. The impressive Baillie was also in contention and the two Ukrainians Martynenko and Sapunov had crept into the top seven as they exited T2.

However, it was the Ukrainians who reserved the most in the tank and summoned enough strength in the final 10km run. Martynenko streaked ahead to win the race in 1:51:23. He was almost a minute ahead of colleague Sapunov but the pair were sandwiched by Ryan Bailie, who finished in a well deserved second place.

Photo: A delighted Agnieszka Jerzyk crosses the line to win the 2011 Karlovy Vary European Cup