Emilio Martin takes men's Duathlon title

by World Triathlon on 17 Oct, 2015 11:36 • Español

The Adelaide World Duathlon lived up to its promise providing the world’s best duathletes with ideal race conditions of glorious sunshine, gentle winds and a passionate, vocal crowd. Provided with the perfect recipe for inspiration, the Elite, under 23 and Junior athletes responded with an array of simply stunning performances.

Elite Men
The elite men’s race was a demonstration of high speed running and power cycling with the return of Emilio Martin (ESP) to the world championship winner’s circle.

The men’s race was one of attrition from the gun with Martin throwing caution to the wind. Leading from start to finish he showed his class and left nothing in the tank, regaining the title he first won in 2012 in Nancy, to hold off the defending Benoit Nicolas (FRA) and Mark Buckingham (GBR).

“It is very important to win here because three years ago I won and last year I came third. This year I came out with race number four and I took a chance and I won. I am very happy to win this championship for Spain,” Martin said.

Former champion Rob Woestenborghs (BEL) was unable to regain his title in his final world championship appearance but his fourth place showed he is still a force in the duathlon world.

“This is my last season and my last world championship but I have another two races Powerman in the Phillipines and then a local race in my neighbourhood to celebrate my career and then I will finish. I am 39 so it is time to do other things in my life, spend more time with my children.”

“It wasn’t my best race because there was some tactics from the French team that not only destroyed my race but their races as well. They were second and fifth, so I am not sure if they are happy but I did my best and could not have done more.”

“It is a pity I got my penalty but my shoe fell out of the box and that was my chance of taking third place but I have to be satisfied with this result. I am very happy with my career, I started late 27, but I am very happy with how it has panned out,” he said.

Under 23 Men
Adelaide 2015 has unearthed a superstar in waiting, with Matt McElroy (USA) winning a world title in his very first duathlon. McElroy, the three time All American at Northern Arizona University, who has a 28:36 10km PB, showed why he is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years in both the worlds of duathlon and triathlon.

“I have only done three ITU races so I am very new to the sport. I signed up for under 23 in Adelaide but I really wanted to compete with the elite guys and I thought I had a chance. I was able to mix it up on the first run and the bike, got sixth overall and won the under 23 title, so I am pretty happy with the result for my first duathlon.”

McElroy was too strong for the fast charging Aussie duo of Dylan Evans and Adam Rudgley who picked up the silver and bronze medals.

Junior Men
Youth Olympic champion Ben Dijkstra (GBR) spent the morning attached to his personal ‘chaperones’, Aussie trio Luke Willian, Daniel Canala and Christian Wilson, but it was his lightning transition onto the final run that guaranteed him his first world duathlon title.

“These guys are so strong and we were working well together on the bike. There were a few attacks but I just had to make sure I shut them down, especially being in a situation like that were it was three against one.”

With Dijkstra in total control it was three Aussies raffling the minor medals and despite getting “lost” on the final corner of the bike, Luke Willian was able to recover and hold off local boy Daniel Canala. Daniel Canala was happy with his third place and opportunity to race in front of family and friends.

Files by Noel McMahon

Article tags duathlon world championships adelaide emelio martin

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