Abu Dhabi Triathlon Race Day

The inaugural Abu Dhabi Triathlon was won by Eneko Llanos and Julie Dibens who took the lion share of the $230,000 Pro price purse. The field assembled in Abu Dhabi was pretty much the most impressive outside of Kona and the performances shown further supported that thought. The unique distance of a 3k swim, 200k bike and 20k run was unique in itself, but the exotic location added quite another touch to this event.

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All images are © Herbert Krabel / slowtwitch.com

The waters in front of the Emirates Palace Hotel were very calm and beautiful on race morning.

The lead Pros are about to finish the first of two swim loops.

Julie Dibens was not first out of the water but she was first at her bike.

Rasmus Henning would end up 3rd today

Eneko Llanos rode a very smart race today and never looked in trouble.

The fast riding Julie Dibens extender her lead on the bike before a flat reversed that trend.

Jordan Rapp might have spent a bit too much time at the front.

A flat tire slowed down Faris Al-Sultan and he lost about a minute in that deal.

Maik Twelsiek was the only Team Commerzbank representative in Abu Dhabi.

A solid performance throughout the day netted Lucie Zelenkova an 8th place.

South African Raynard Tissink built up a good lead on the bike for a while.

A late push allowed Frederik Van Lierde to get back to T2 first.

Leanda Cave on her way to do the final small loop.

All day Leanda Cave battled Julie Dibens and on the run Dibens slowly slipped away.

Tine Deckers from Belgium ended up in 6the place.

At the end of the first lap of the run Eneko Llanos had created a nice gap.

Jordan Rapp on his way to 7th place in Abu Dhabi.

Yes, it appears Eneko Llanos was very happy with his win and the $50,000 check.

An elated Julie Dibens gave a few interviews in the finish line area.

Coach Michael Kruger from Denmark was the top age grouper in Abu Dhabi despite a crash.