A superb day this past weekend in Vitoria where more than 1,600 triathletes gathered to participate in the HALF and IRON distances. After the victory of the Spanish Joan Rivureta and the American Chelsea Burns in HALF distance, IRON-distance triathletes were still fighting for the IRON victory. At noon the streets were crowded with people to watch the star event that consisted in 3.8 km swimming followed by 180 kilometres by bike to finish with a 42 km race around the streets of the city of Vitoria.
The Portuguese Paulo Antunes was the first out of the water with almost 2 minutes ahead of the local Roberto Corujo. Sergio Marques and Alejandro Santamaria came out with about 5 minutes apart.
In the first part of the cycling sector Paulo Antunes led the race 2 minutes ahead of Roberto Corujo , while behind Alejandro Santamaria was slowly gaining positions until he placed himself in the head of the race along with Iñaki Arabain, with whom he got to the T2 . In third position was Etzgoik Zalakain followed by Sergio Marqués, who finished almost 10 minutes after the race leader
With regard to the race Alejandro Santamaria was making a difference from the start getting a final time of 8:28:58 at the finishing line, ahead by more than 14 minutes of Sergio Marques (8:43:05), who also played his last card gaining positions till reaching the second position. The third place was for Ezgoit Zalakain (8:47:26), also being spectacular the great race of the local Roberto Corujo, who was so close to the podium.
Alejandro Santamaria showed his excitement on crossing the finishing line "The truth is that my strength was going down, but as I reached the finishing lane and seeing the spectators cheering me up I just felt my hair stand on end. A great organization and a great track, most amazing thing of Vitoria is, with no doubt, the great passion of the public, because we do feel the centres of attention, but especially fortunate to do what we do"
In the women's category the favourite Brooke Brown was the first to leave the water followed by Vanessa Pereira with Anais Tommy Martin over 2 minutes apart and Arrate Mintegui 4 minutes after the race leader.
During the 180 km of cycling the Canadian Brooke got an advantage of 11 minutes ahead of Vanessa Pereira and in the third position Anais Tommy left the bike, who arrived about 17 minutes after the race leader.
Already in the race segment the Canadian Brooke knew how to manage her advantage until the end, even tough Anais Tommy was slowly coming closer to the Portuguese triathlete Vanessa Pereira, who finally had to retire due to stomach pains. Brooke Brown won the race with a time of 9:51:01, followed by Anais Tommy (10:07:47) and Arrate Mintegui 10:24:35
Brooke Brooke showed her excitement about the circuit "It was hard, but very funny, especially the bike segment, with so many ups and downs, a good combination. But undoubtedly the best has been the race, when I was in the second lap I though I couldn't go on, but there was not a second that the spectators let me stop and I said Ito myself, I have to go on, Vitoria is demanding it and deserves it. " "It has certainly been an awesome experience, without their voices and applauses I would probably have not got to the finishing line, they are part of this victory." " If I had to compare Vitoria-Gasteiz with a triathlon I could only compare it with Hawaii, I would even say it is better, in the streets of Vitoria there is not a moment, not a single second, that I do not feel embraced by the public" Brooke Brown
In the awards ceremony we could have the presence of Alfredo Iturricha, Minister of services to the citizens and sports of the Vitoria City Council and Javier de Andrés, General Deputy of Álava, in a spectacular day that has pervaded the amazing capital of Alava of triathlon.
Top Men:
1.ALEJANDRO SANTAMARIA PEREZ 8:28:58
2.SERGIO MARQUES 8:43:05
3.EGOITZ ZALAKAIN ERBITI 8:47:26
4.ROBERTO CORUJO ACEBEDO 8:51:12
5.IÑAKI GABARAIN 9:02:42
6.LUIS FELIZ CEPEDAL 9:04:44
7.JUAN SALVADOR DIAZ CUELLAR 9:04:44
8.JOSE ALMAGRO VALERO 9:12:35
9.XAVIER NUNEZ FAUSTE 9:14:50
10.DAVID NAVARRO CERDAN 9:17:05
Top Women:
1.BROOKE BROWN 9:51:01
2.ANAIS TOMMY-MARTIN 10:07:47
3.ARRATE MINTEGUI GONZALEZ 10:24:35
More info and results: www.triathlonvitoria.com