Alonso, Morrison win Tri Grand Prix Basque
Clemente Alonso-McKernan upset 2009 champion Eneko Llanos and 2010 Tri Grand Prix champ Catriona Morrison held off Anna Cleaver at over a 2.5k swim, 76k bike and 21k run at the Tri Grand Prix Basque Country Saturday in Zarautz, Spain.
"Really happy with my race. I normally do good runs in Zarautz, a spectacular place with awesome spectators and good organization to be honest, but this year I was able not to lose too much on the bike and do my best. Eneko normally rules here but was recovering from IM Texas so it's a great honor to win with him in the field," said Alonso-McKernan to slowtwitch. "Also really glad to win here again after 2005 so I could dedicate the win to the memory of Daniel 'Pegaso' Guzman, who we all miss."
"To be honest I wanted to use this race to scare myself back into action. Since Texas I've done very very little and have enjoyed a mid season break. It was time to get back at it and I thought that challenging myself over a tough, fair course was as good a way to do it as any. It's always great to win but doing so when you are feeling under-prepared makes it a good confidence boost and gives me some great motivation to get back to training," said Morrison to slowtwitch. "It's a great race, a beautiful course with incredible support. It feels like the whole town comes out to watch. Very weird starting at 3pm though!"
Tri Grand Prix Basque Country
Zarautz, Spain / June 11, 2011
S 2.5k / B 76k / R 21k
Results
Elite men
1. Clemente Alonso (ESP) 3:40:41
2. Eneko Llanos (ESP) 3:41:18
3. Mathias Hecht (SUI) 3:44:33
Elite women
1. Catriona Morrison (GBR) 3:55:18
2. Anna Cleaver (NZL) 4:03:24
3. Ana Burgos (ESP) 4:11:10
