Europe Triathlon

Akos Vanek (HUN) thrilled the hometown crowd on Sunday, winning the elite men’s triathlon final in Tiszaújváros, with Rostyslav Pevstov (ITU) coming second and Gabor Faldum (HUN) grabbing Hungary’s second podium finish to win bronze.

Along with all of Tiszaújváros, the Vanek family will be celebrating their double win, as Akos’ sister Margit won silver in the women’s race.

Fifth out of the water, Vanek led after the first lap on the bike but entered the first transition outside of the top 10 in 28th position, but made up the difference with the second fastest run split, 0.01 seconds ahead of Pevstov, to win his first World Cup race.

Vanek said: “Always a pleasure to race here at home, the atmosphere’s great, I’ve just won my first World Cup. I’m so happy. It’s a special race, with the double sprint. I had to focus on my technique to be the first guy in the sprint finish.”

Near the back of the pack in 27th place after the swim, Russia’s Pevstov (ITU) came from behind to race third-fastest on the bike behind Jelle Greens (BEL) and Bob Haller (LUX), but was fastest in the run, clocking a time of 15:03, ahead of Vanek.

“I like this race, I compete here every year. It’s a very hard race and tiring. It’s my best result,” Pevstov (ITU) said.

Hungary’s second podium position was for Faldum, who won bronze despite placing 22nd in the swim. He was eighth fastest on the bike and fourth in the run.

“It was amazing, to race at home, it’s the best thing that has ever happened in my life. I was really strong on the bike and ran alone at my own pace and they caught up with me, and then I was faster, but not fast enough to win,” Faldum said.

Italy chased down the winners, with Davide Uccellari (ITA) finishing fourth and Alessandro Fabian (ITA) fifth.