Abu Dhabi winner Gomez: 'I'm back'

Matt Jones - Editor 00:23 05/03/2017
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  • The Spaniard storms to victory.

    Two years ago in 2015 the veteran Spaniard finished sixth in Abu Dhabi as his younger compatriot Mario Mola claimed gold in Abu Dhabi’s WTS debut. Mola backed that up with back-to-back wins in the Emirates last year on his way to winning a maiden WTS title.

    It broke veteran Gomez’s three-year stranglehold on the series in a campaign that also saw him withdraw from the 2016 Rio Olympics after breaking his elbow in an innocuous training accident, falling off his bike just yards from his home just a month before the Games.

    It seemed Spain’s triathlon torch was being handed down to Mallorcan Mola, but Gomez hit back in the way only true champions can – with Saturday’s triumph an indication the 33-year-old’s injury woes of 2016 are firmly behind him.

    “Yeah, it feels like I’m back,” a delighted Gomez said post-race.

    “It’s nice to come back this way. I hadn’t raced this kind of competition for a while but I’m very happy with my fitness and where I am. It was a tough course and I’m very happy.”

    The Galicia native was a little off the pace following a below par swim at Yas Marina, but quickly made up the eight-second gap when he got on the bike.

    France’s Aurelien Raphael was first out of the water following both laps before an initial breakaway group of 19 formed as they headed for the iconic Yas Marina Circuit for the 40km cycle.

    Leo Bergere, of France, and America’s Ben Kanute led the way for most of the 10 laps but Gomez came into his own on the 10km run.

    The third and final leg saw the leading group splinter, with just Gomez, Britain’s Thomas Bishop and Olympic bronze medallist Henri Schoeman out in front.

    South Africa’s Schoeman soon fell behind but Bishop stuck with Gomez, before the Spaniard made his move with 3km to go, streaking ahead to claim victory by 13 seconds, with Frenchman Vincent Luis claiming third.

    Mola, meanwhile, champion here for the last two years and reigning series champion, was 50 seconds behind after a poor swim and never recovered. He finished eighth, a 1m 34secs adrift of Gomez.

    It was Gomez’s 50th WTS race, 13th win and 37th podium, but he claims there is no grand secret to his consistency.

    “I don’t know what the secret is. I just love the sport and train as well as I can every day. I love training and doing my best and luckily I’ve had a good career,” he said.

    “I still made a few mistakes in the race. I didn’t swim very well but I knew it was going to be a tough run. With Tom it was very tactical.

    “On the third lap we slowed down a lot and I tried to save energy for the last lap. I made my move with about 3km to go and it worked really well.”

    At one point with two laps to go, Bishop, 25, even had the audacity to attack the veteran, a move he felt may have been costly, although one he felt he also had to make.

    “It might have been a bit naive to attack him and he came back to attack me, but it felt good. You’ve got to lead a race every now and then,” he said.

    “I have to respect him and then he attacked me on the home straight. He’s a crafty man and knows what he’s doing.

    “I think he wanted me to go and do some work. I think he wanted a bit of a rest. It was kind of windy but running at the front is easier for me, I find it more relaxing and you can control it, so I think it helped me relax and recover.”

    After 15 months away from the WTS, third-placed Luis was delighted with his run.

    “I’m back after 15 months outside the World Series and eight months since my last race so it’s pretty good,” said the 27-year-old who was seventh in Rio.

    “I have a few problems but it feels good to be back. It’s really early so I’m expecting a bit more fitness in July and for the Grand Final in September. I will play the game and it’s a good start.”

    As for Mola, he admitted he lost a few seconds after slipping entering the water for the second lap of the swim, but admitted he was off the pace.

    “Maybe I lost a few seconds in the water, but I just couldn’t go any faster. They swam very well in front and I have to keep training,” said the 27-year-old.

    “I’m not disappointed with how things went. I gave 100 per cent which is what matters. Hopefully there is better to come for the rest of the season.”

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