Spirig takes London
Swiss athlete Nicola Spirig took the title at the London Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series thanks to a very impressive performance on the bike. Emma Moffatt, who did not race in London, remains as the Dextro Energy series leader.
As the women exited the waters in Hyde Park in London, a group of 12 that included Annabel Luxford of Australia, Daniela Ryf of Switzerland, Helen Jenkins of Great Britain and Andrea Hewitt of New Zealand managed to rake a 20 second lead on a similar-sized group that contained Lisa Norden of Seeden and Nicola Spirig of Switzerland. Vanessa Fernandes, on the mend from a broken collarbone suffered earlier this year, was in the mix too, but eventually pulled out of the race as she apparently has not yet fully recovered from her injury.
Spirig pushed the pace hard on the bike and eventually bridged the gap to the front pack with a group of 11 in her draft. Another group tried to join the leaders but an accident late in the race foiled that attempt for most.
Leaving T2, a group of 5 quickly established a lead, and contained Jodie Stimpson, Debbie Tanner, Jenkins, Spirig and Norden. Stimpson though fell off the pace and Elizabeth May of Luxembourg moved up into that front group. Accelerations late in the run first dropped Tanner and then May, but Spirig and Norden were too strong. Spirig attacked with only a couple hundred meters left and crossed the line in first place. She narrowly held off Norden, and Jenkins earned the final podium spot.
London Dextro Energy Triathlon – ITU World Championship Series
London, UK / August 15, 2009
1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
Top 10 Elite Women
1. Nicola Spirig (SUI) 01:54:24
2. Lisa Norden (SWE) 01:54:26
3. Helen Jenkins (GBR) 01:54:29
4. Elizabeth May (LUX) 01:54:38
5. Anja Dittmer (GER) 01:54:55
6. Daniela Ryf (SUI) 01:54:57
7. Ricarda Lisk (GER) 01:55:00
8. Debbie Tanner (NZL) 01:55:05
9. Andrea Hewitt (NZL) 01:55:07
10. Sarah Groff (USA) 01:55:16
