Nicholls, Stimpson win Virgin Active London Tri

Home grown UK triathletes Ritchie Nicholls and Jodie Stimpson won the elite divisions on the run at the Olympic distance Virgin Active London Triathlon Sunday.

Nicholls who had won 5150 Zurich, Switzerland earlier this month combined a 12th-best 19:22 swim, 8th best 53:24 bike and a stellar, race-best 29:44 run to finish in 1:45:37 with a 32-seconds margin of victory over runner-up Adam Bowden and 41-seconds advantage over third-place finisher Matthew Sharp.

"It feels like a breakthrough performance. I had some really good races a few years ago, but since then I've struggled to get back. Hopefully this is a new start," said Nicholls. "Things have been a bit on and off with illnesses. I was actually sick on Friday so I wasn't going to come down here. I'm glad I did now."

ITU stars who may well be using this race as a tune-up for next week’s ITU World Championship Series and Olympic qualifier in London included Stuart Hayes of Great Britain (4th), Jarrod Shoemaker of the United States (5th), Hendrik De Villiers of the Republic of South Africa (7th), Richard Stannard of Great Britain (10th) and Mark Jenkins of Great Britain (DNF).

In the women’s race, Stimpson put together a 3ed-best 20:39 swim, race-best 57:43 bike and race-best 35:12 run to finish in 1:56:48 with a 1-minute, 25-seconds margin of victory over fellow Briton and race runner-up Liz Blatchford. Lois Rosindale made the podium a British sweep with a 2:00:01 finish which brought her home 3:13 deficit to Stimpson.

"I'm delighted to take my first victory of the season. Hopefully I'll get some more before the year is out," said Stimpson.

USA competitors fared pretty well. Alicia Kaye took 6th in 2:01:10 and Heather Jackson was 7th in 2:03:20.

In addition to the 60 Pros who participated in this race, approximately 14,000 amateurs also competed in the event.

Virgin Active London Triathlon
London, England
July 31, 2011
S 1.5 k / B 38 k / R 9.8 k

Results

Men

1. Ritchie Nicholls (GBR) 1:45:37
2. Adam Bowden (GBR) 1:46:09
3. Matthew Sharp (GBR) 1:46:18
4. Stuart Hayes (GBR) 1:46:34
5. Jarrod Shoemaker (USA) 1:46:48
6. David McNamee (GBR) 1:46:54
7. Hendrik De Villiers (RSA) 1:46:59
8. Cameron Goode (AUS) 1:47:59
9. David Bishop (GBR) 1:48:46
10. Richard Stannard (GBR) 1:48:50

Women

1. Jodie Stimpson (GBR) 1:56:48
2. Liz Blatchford (GBR) 1:58:13
3. Lois Rosindale (GBR) 2:00:01
4. Gillian Sanders (GBR) 2:00:28
5. Rebecca Kingsford (NZL) 2:00:51
6. Alicia Kaye (USA) 2:01:10
7. Heather Jackson (USA) 2:03:20
8. Holly Lawrence (GBR) 2:03:57
9. Victoria Johnston (GBR) 2:04:06
10. Natalie Milne (SCO) 2:05:01