Henri Schoeman and Rachel Klamer steal the show at ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi

Sport360 staff 00:43 03/03/2018
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  • Henri Schoeman won the elite men’s category.

    South African Henri Schoeman claimed victory in the elite men’s category sprint distance, while Dutch triathlete Rachel Klamer picked up the first women’s medal as the 2018 ITU World Triathlon Season got under way at the Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

    Schoeman produced a stellar performance and was first out of the water, taking the lead into the bike section following a smooth first transition.

    Despite the unusual rain that caused problems on the bike course for many athletes, Schoeman managed to come out on top and enter the second transition 13 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor.

    The South African become only the second man in WTS history to win the race after leading in all three disciplines from start to finish and picked up just his second World Triathlon Series gold medal, following his win at the Cozumel Grand Final in 2016. Schoeman finished first with a time of 57 minutes and three seconds, winning by six seconds.

    “I am just so happy, there really are no words to explain,” said Schoeman. “I just tried to play it safe out there. I found myself in front on the bike and before I knew it I had a gap and the gap grew. To be honest, I was having fun out there, I was telling myself that if they catch me on the run, well whatever because I had fun on the bike and I was safe. Mario [Mola] is a fantastic runner, but my fitness is there and it is good to have a race like this.

    “It told me I am in great form as the Commonwealth Games is my next race. I am so thrilled, the last time I was on the top step was in Cozumel in 2016 and I am so glad I did it in such a great way.”

    Competitors fight it out in Abu Dhabi.

    Competitors fight it out in Abu Dhabi.

    Earning the silver medal was Spaniard Mario Mola, who won in Abu Dhabi in 2015 and 2016. Bronze went to Vincent Luis of France who repeated his third-place position from 2017.

    Meanwhile, in the women’s field, Rachel became the 21st woman to win an ITU World Triathlon Series race after her season-opening victory in Abu Dhabi. After a conservative race strategy in the swim and bike sections, Klamer entered the final lap in front and battled with her fellow triathletes in a running race for the podium. Giving everything she had, Klamer clinched gold and the first WTS victory of her career.

    “I am so happy, there was no way I was expecting this,” said Klamer. “I have to say I was quite scared on the bike because the last few months I have been training on only straight roads and didn’t do any corners. There were a lot of women crashing so I just decided to take it easy, ride hard, but just go easy through the corners. When we started running I tried to focus on my breathing because normally at the start of the season I often get side stitches. I stayed at the back of the back on the first lap, but on the last lap I thought I would just give it a try.”

    Great Britain’s Jessica Learmonth came in second, adding to the silver medal she picked up in Stockholm last year. The medal gives the Briton good standing going into her last month of training before the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast in April.

    Commenting on the opening day of the ITU World Triathlon Series Abu Dhabi 2018, His Excellency Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council said; “The ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi 2018 has been the most successful and inclusive triathlon event hosted in the Middle East. Our elite field boasted 17 of the top 20 male and female triathletes, from all corners of the globe, all of which competed spectacularly in what is now one of the biggest races on the ITU calendar. It was fantastic to see hundreds of supporters come out to cheer on their sporting heroes, and is testament to the success of the event. We look forward to making next year’s event bigger and better as we work towards our vision of 2021 – hosting the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final.”

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