The first edition of Challenge Madrid was disputed today, with triathletes like Iván Alvarez, Gustavo Rodríguez, Dylan McNeirce y Sofie Goos, amongst others, as big favourites on the departure line. Lisa Roberts and Dolça Ollé, who made their debut in this distance, were also amongst the favourites.
The competition started at 7.50AM in Buitrago de Lozoya with a 3.8 km swim in the Riosequillo dam.
First out of the water was New Zealander Dylan McNeirce, with a 5.42 minutes advance over Portuguese Jose Estraingeiro, who was followed by Zoltán Petsuk and David Castro. Mikel Elgezaban came out 10 minutes later and Alejandro Santamaria and Iván Alvaréz more than 11 minutes.
On the cycling leg, the triathletes faced 180 km throughout the Madrid Region on a demanding circuit with over 3000 meters positive incline and with New Zealander Mc Neirce heading the race. Another protagonist of this segment was Spaniard Mikel Elguezabal, who showed his strong point and started to take over at Rascafría, just like Timothy Van Houten, who would end up winning the competition.
Once in the town of El Escorial, Belgian Van Houten took the lead with a 42-second advance over Mikel and 1:50 over McNeirce; he reached T2, on Puente del Rey in Madrid Río, in first position.
Dylan McNeirce finished second at 6:19. Gustavo Rodríguez also ran a good cycling leg and finished fifth at the second transition, followed by local Madrid thriathletes Javier García, sixth, Alejandro Santamaría, seventh and Ramón Ejeda in ninth position.
In the 42 km run, Belgian Timothy Van Houten was able to keep his first position until the end, where he earned a moving victory in this first edition of Challenge Madrid with a final time of 8:33:23.
“It has been a spectacular competition, an amazing circuit with lots of people cheering who made you feel at home” said Van Houten who appeared extremely emotional and did not hesitate a second to publicly address very touching words to his parents “I could not be here without them. Thank you for supporting and helping me; I am very happy to have earned this victory in Madrid, it is just as much yours.”
German Lukas Krämer (08:49:09) finished second. Alejandro Santamaría (8:56:21) was third and completed the men’s podium.
The performance of great New Zealander triathlete McNeirce was also notable, although he had to forfeit in the second round of the run segment due to back troubles “I enjoyed the race very much, and I felt very good. The atmosphere was spectacular. Unfortunately I experienced back aches during the second lap of the run and I had to forfeit but… I will be back
Women’s race
Gabriela Zelinka finished the swim leg first, closely followed by Yvette Grice and Dolca Ollé in third position. Favourite Sofie Goos finished fourth at 20 seconds and Lisa Roberts at more than 7 minutes.
Once on the bike, Sofie Goos was the first to cross Rascaría with a 1-minute advance over Gabriela Zelinka and1:49 over Lisa Roberts who was third after a spectacular come back. Dolça was fourth, a full 15 minutes after Goos. The situation remained the same until the very last part of the cycling leg, where Lisa Roberts took over her oponents and reached T2 with a 3:20 advance over Gabriela Zelinka and 4:34 over Sofie Goos. Dolça finished this second segment in fifth position.
In the 42 km run, American Lisa Roberts increased her advantage and arrived alone at the finish line to win the race in a total time of 09:32:51
Gabriela Zelinka finished second, followed by another big favourite, Sofie Goos, who took the third position.
“This is my first long distance triathlon”
Lisa Roberts, winner of the women’s race, said “I am very happy to win here. There is a spectacular atmosphere and the whole circuit was really moving, especially this finish in the Puerta del Sol.”
Relays
Team “Las Perlas” won the relay race in a total time of 09:32:52
MEN’S PODIUM
Timothy Van Houten 08:33:23
Lucas Krämer 08:49:09
Alejandro Santamaría 08:56:21
WOMEN’S PODIUM
Lisa Roberts 09:32:51
Gabriella Zelinka 09:51:42
Sofie Goos 10:10:12