ETU European Half Distance Champions Crowned

Italy’s Giulio Molinari and Austria’s Lisa Hütthaler won the ETU European Half Distance Championship  at Challenge Paguera-Mallorca this weekend. Over 1,100 triathletes took part from elite, paratriathlon, age group and open categories.

Molinari won in a time of 4:07:38 over four minutes ahead of second place, Portuagal’s Bruno Pais. Gustavo Rodriguez Iglesias rounded out the men’s podium in third in 4:14:15 . In the women’s race, Rahel Kueng (SUI) and Helle Frederiksen (DEN) where the first two out of the water in 25:19. Frederiksen lead out of T1 and through the start of the bike. The win was in questions the run course between Frederiksen and Hütthaler with the Austrian finding another gear and pulling away for top spot in 4:25:27. Frederiksen was 1:54 behind her and compatriot Maja Stage Nielsen took third in 4:44:17. Both Hütthaler and Frederiksen were considered pre-race favourites.  Hütthaler has been making a steady comeback since she was banned from the sport for two years for EPO use in 2009.

Although a close second, Uplace-BMC Pro Triathlon Team member Frederiksen said,  “I am happy. On this day, my best was second position.  Of course I came here to win but Lisa Hüthaller was faster today. I had a solid swim, surrounded by ITU regular male athletes exiting in a group of 4. A quick T1 meant that I started the bike section in the lead. Around the 40 to 45 km mark of the bike ride I was caught by Anja Beranek, who at that point took the lead of the race and Lisa Hüthaller following me closely in 3rd position. Into T2, I knew I needed to make my move, I did so and led up until 16km, at that point the lead was taken by Lisa . . . Now I take a few days off to see my family and friends in Denmark.  Then I will do my last little block of hard work to prepare the Challenge of Bahrain on the6th of December.”

For full results visit Challenge-Mallorca.com.