from Triathlon.org…
Gomez storms to 9th world cup win
He was down by more than a minute after the bike but the deficit didn’t matter for world number one Javier Gomez. As he’s done so many times before, the Spanish sensation ripped through the run to win today’s New Plymouth BG Triathlon World Cup. The run course was accurately measured at 10.2 kilometers, which Gomez absolutely shredded with a superhuman run clocked at 29:37.
“It’s amazing, two weeks, two victories. This was my best race ever. It’s the best way to start the season. It was a difficult race and I am very happy.” said Gomez. “It’s a great start but the Olympics are still a ways away and there is lots to do.”
The victory comes hot on the heels of his season-opening win in Mooloolaba last weekend. Not able to keep up with his Spanish rival, Aussie Brad Kahlefeldt once again finished runner-up taking the silver 31 seconds behind. British veteran Andrew Johns made it back to the world cup podium with a bronze, his first medal since a bronze in Makuhari, Japan in 2003
Gomez and Kahlefeldt were both in the chase group as they came into T2 and together reeled in the leaders which included Kiwi favorite Terenzo Bozzone, Maik Petzold of Germany and Johns. After running side by side early in the run, Gomez applied his usual strategy – lay down the most punishing run pace possible and drop his fellow competitors. Kahlefeldt couldn’t respond and watched Gomez take off for the win.
“We started the run really fast, Brad and me. I was more worried about Brad, more then the front guys,” said Gomez.
It was the ninth world cup title of Gomez’s already illustrious career, which moves into 4th place among all-time world cup winners and within one of active-leader Simon Whitfield. Perhaps even more impressive, it was the 15th consecutive world cup podium for Gomez in what will go down in ITU history as one of the most sensational run performances ever. Even his peers were in awe of Gomez today.
“That’s one of the fastest runs I’ve done on the circuit and it was a tough course as well. All credit to Javier, he was absolutely flying out there and there wasn’t much I could do today to beat him,” said Kahlefeldt.
“We had a minute off the bike so I thought, ‘Just relax’. I thought I’d just wait for Javier. I thought we would have until the 7km mark. I think he caught us in less then 5k and I went, ‘Whoa’. I tried to go with him but that boy’s got some serious pace now day’s and I think I lasted 300 meters,” said bronze medalist Johns.
New Zealand’s Kris Gemmell came back with an excellent final leg himself to take fourth place while Belgian Peter Croes tied his best ever world cup performance taking the fifth spot.
After two world cup races, Gomez maintain his grip on the world number one rankings while Kahlefeldt stands pat at number two. Canadian Olympic hopeful Paul Tichelaar jumps to number three with his second straight top ten performance while Aussie Brendan Sexton moves up to the fourth spot.
2008 New Plymouth BG Triathlon World Cup
Elite Men – Unofficial Results
1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
Gold – Javier Gomez (ESP) 1:47:33
Silver – Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS) 2:01:07 1:48:03
Bronze – Andrew Johns (GBR) 2:01:16 1:48:16
4 – Kris Gemmell (NZL) 1:48:26
5 – Peter Croes (BEL) 1:48:30
6 – Paul Tichelaar (CAN) 1:48:46
7 – Brendan Sexton (AUS) 1:48:54
8 – Dmitriy Gaag (KAZ) 1:48:57
9 – Stuart Hayes (GBR) 1:48:58
10 – Dan Wilson (AUS) 1:49:03
