Spaniard one second faster
Ignacio Gonzalez Garcia has claimed victory in the 34th edition of the Holten Triathlon. The Spaniard won the ETU Sprint Triathlon Premium European Cup with a time of 00:55:45. He narrowly beat Christopher Perham (Great Britain) and Walter Schafer (United States).
In Holten, the title of sprint triathlon was well-deserved. After American Alec Wilimovsky was the first to break away on the Holterberg, several leaders emerged during the race. During the running segment, a leading group of five triathletes formed: Kyle Smith, Ignacio Gonzalez Garcia, Liam Ward, Luke Burns, and Marco van der Stel took the lead in the race. Briton Christopher Perham and Walter Schafer (US) from the pursuing group managed to join the leaders, with Perham immediately breaking away. Ward and Gonzalez were able to join the Briton, leaving the chasers behind. Thus, the top three was set, only the podium positions needed to be determined. A sprint would ultimately be decisive. In the last three-hundred meters, it was Gonzalez who chose to attack in the center of Holten. That strategy was rewarded with a first place. Perham followed in second, just one second behind the Spaniard.
“Initially, I expected that a top-five position should be possible,” says Gonzalez. “During the cycling, I was with the leading group, and also in the running segment, I was in the front group. Eventually, Perham attacked during the second lap, and I was able to follow. In the last three hundred meters, I attacked myself and won. I’m very happy with that.”
Provisional Results ETU Sprint Triathlon Premium European Cup Men
1. Ignacio Gonzalez Garcia – Spain – 00:55:45
2. Christopher Perham – Great Britain – 00:55:46
3. Walter Schafer – United States – 00:55:48
