Bockel, Vesterby take Denmark
Dirk Bockel won the 2015 Challenge Denmark at Legoland and was thrilled with that win after dealing with a hip injury since his big win in Australia in March of 2014. Michelle Vesterby took the women's title and made the locals and the race director happy. Race director Claus Vesterby is the husband of the popular Danish pro triathlete and he was already thrilled with a sold out field of over 1,500 athletes in this inaugural race, and the win by his wife was the icing on the cake.
“I am very happy today to win my comeback race. I had a really good swim; although it was cold, real Danish weather. I guess the Vikings arrived today,” said Dirk Bockel. “The bike part was extremely fast. Martin Jensen was pushing the pace. It was tough for me to hold on. On the run, I was able to hold it together. It is also very good that my hip didn’t hurt. It was a very solid day at the office.”
Michelle Vesterby had to hold off American Mary Beth Ellis to snag the title in her native Denmark. Brit Catherine Jameson finished third.
“That was for my husband,” said Michelle Vesterby after she crossed the finish line.
Challenge Denmark
Herning / Billund, Denmark / June 13, 2015
1.2m swim / 56m bike / 13.1m run
Top men
1. Dirk Bockel (LUX) 3:51:16
2. Thomas Strange (DEN) 3:52:12
3. Markus Fachbach (GER) 3:52:45
Top women
1. Michelle Vesterby (DEN) 4:19:32
2. Mary Beth Ellis (USA) 4:22:15
3. Catherine Jameson (GBR) 4:27:04
