Czech Radka Kahlefeldt Vodicková and German Florian Angert dominated the third edition of FORD CHALLENGE PRAGUE, the biggest triathlon race in the Czech Republic. “It was my first race within the CHALLENGE FAMILY race series in Prague, so the victory means very much to me,” said Kahlefeldt Vodicková.
After her daughter Ruby was born, Radka Kahlefeldt Vodicková returned to racing and she came back in a great shape. This year, she finished second at the world championshpis in Šamorín and in Prague she was among the favourites. From the beginning, her biggest opponent was Lisa Nordén, silver medallist from London Olympic Games 2012. Nordén dominated the cycling course but Czech star got faster in the running stage and she won FORD CHALLENGE PRAGUE in 4:22:13.5, almost two minutes ahead of Nordén (4:24:11.2). “This victory means really much to me. Lisa was strong in the cycling part, she tries to qualify for the Olympic Games. Fans pushed me, it was awesome. I was really looking forward to my daughter and husband in the finish line,” said Kahlefeldt Vodicková.
“Last days I was practicing in much cooler weather, so it was a bit shock for me. I enjoyed the most the cycling part, I tried to focus on myself. Radka is a great runner, I am happy for her that she won at her home soil,” said Nordén. The third was Austrian Eva Wutti (4:31:25.9). “I hope for the podium and I am very happy with the result. I guess it should be pretty nice experience for fans to see all the swimmers. I enjoyed the race very much,” admitted Wutti.
The race in men’s category was dominated by Floran Angert from Germany in time 3:54:49.7. 27-year-old triathlete got in the lead during cycling part and he kept the pace in running course. “I have been satisfied with this season so far, I was once on the second place, fourth and fifth, however, I haven’t won – till today. I put everything into cycling, so my plan was successful. It was a great race,” said the winner of the third edition of FORD CHALLENGE PRAGUE.
Second place went to the traditional triathlete in Prague and the leader of this year’s rankings of CHALLENGE FAMILY World Bonus, Pieter Heemeryck from Belgium (3:57:36.4), the third was world champion in full distance Pablo Dapena Gonzalez from Spain (3:59:04.02). “I didn’t feel so good today, so I think the second place is really nice. It has been my third start here, I gained gold and bronze medal before and today I won silver – so now it is complete,” rejoiced Heemeryck.
“I feel like I won the race,” said Dapena, who started with bad injury from last week. “I thought that I wouldn’t race here at all, so to be third there today is like victory for me,” added Dapena.
The best Czech triathlete in the finish was Tomáš Renc in time 4:08:48.6. “It is one place better than last year, which makes me happy. It was an important test for me before Ironman in Sweden, where I want to qualify for Hawaii among professionals,” said Renc.
Total number of 1360 athletes from 47 countries was on the start list of FORD CHALLENGE PRAGUE.
The shorter race called SCOTT CHALLENGETRY-ATHLON (0.38km swimming, 18km cycling and 4.2km running) won Czech Tomáš Pivrnec, the second and third place went to Polish athletes Marcin Tomczak and Jakub Kubinski. Among women’s category, German Claudia Mai was the winner, Belgian Kaat Van Eynde finished second and Czech Julia Balcarová third. The RELAYS category was won by team FORD ONE (Aišman, Nežerka, Csirik).
RESULTS
FORD CHALLENGE PRAGUE MIDDLE
Men – absolute : 1. Florian Angert (GER) 3:54:49,7, 2. Pieter Heemeryck (BEL) 3:57:36,4, 3. Pablo Dapena (ESP) 3:59:04,2, 4. Frederic Funk (GER) 3:59:04,2, 5. Thomas Steger (AUT) 4:01:25,4, 6. Bradley Weiss (RSA) 4:03:31,1, 7. Michael Weiss (AUT) 4:05:34,9, 8. Thomas Davis (GBR) 4:06:45,3, 9. Tomáš Renc (CZE) 4:08:48,6, 10. Marcin Lawicki (POL) 4:11:26,3, … 11. Petr Soukup (CZE) 4:12:34,8.
Women – absolute: 1. Radka Kahlefeldt Vodicková (CZE) 4:22:13,5, 2. Lisa Norden (SWE) 4:24:11,2, 3. Eva Wutti (AUT) 4:31:35,9, 4. Lisa Roberts (USA) 4:34:27,1, 5. Elena Illeditsch (GER) 4:36:36,0, 6. Katrien Verstiuyft (BEL) 4:37:04,1, 7. Simona Krivánková (CZE) 4:41:49,6, 8. Joanna Ryter (SUI) 4:42:50,8, 9. Kate Bevilaqua (AUST) 4:47:01,8, 11. Victoria Kenny (GBR) 4:50:03.7.