He talks the talk and now walks the walk Dominic Passuello for Team Forhans was the interpreter to conduct a masterclass between the elite field closing the show with a fast tempo run leg. The strong ex Tuscan cyclist, after a somewhat average swim compared to his main competitors, was able to push his bike to the frenzied pace, creating a significant gap between himself and the pursuers. The only athlete able to sustain his bike pace was Johann Ackermann, who, however, had to abdicate to the will of the Italian early in the 21 km of the run. Behind the race winner impressive Austrian Andreas Giglmayr, had made up a huge gap to comeback to 2nd. The podium was completed by the Brit Ritchie Nicholls. Fourth place for Massimo Cigana, little more than a minute off the podium.
Unlucky day for some of the race favorites, Daniel Fontana, second last year, raised the white flag around the 25th km of the bike leg and Alessandro De Gasperi, third last year , he succumbed in the early stages of the run due to some physical problems. Terenzo Bozzone crashed his bike but carried on to come in 6th.
The women's race was hard fought in the swim with eventual winner Mullan emerging with a 2 minute deficit to make up on the 90 miles of cycling. Having put in a solid bike leg Irelands Eimear Mullan emerged into T2 with the leaders. once onto the run Mullan showed her dominant running skills that would bring her to the finish line solo, leaving behind the Belgian Tine Deckers by almost three minutes. The bronze went to German Daniela Sammler a little more than 5mins back from the winner . Among the Italians at the finish line Martina Dogana in seventh and ninth went to Giorgia Priarone in her debut over the distance.
Challenge Rimini
Men……………………............Women
1.Domenico Passuello 4:03:01…1.Eimear Mullan 4:33:09
2.Andreas Giglmayr +4:33…....2.Tine Deckers +2:45
3.Ritchie Nicholls +5:14…........3.Daniela Sammler +5:24
4.Massimo Cigana +6:30….......4.Gina Crawford +7:42
5.Maurice Clavel +6:45….........5.Gabi Zelinkka +8:01