A world championship caliber field lined the pontoon, many seeking a spot on their own Olympic team as several National Federations have designated this world cup as a key qualified in their selection process. Powerful American swimmer Andy Potts exited the water in the lead as he often does in races. Just ten seconds behind him was world number one Javier Gomez. A further four seconds back was a host of serious podium threats including last year’s winner Frederic Belaubre, 2005 winner Hunter Kemper, Aussie Courtney Atkinson and Canadian Simon Whitfield.
Out onto the 40-kilometer bike course, the drama began early as 2006 world champion Tim Don was forced to withdraw after a crash with Omar Tayara of Syria. They were two of a dozen men who pulled out during the tough 6-lap course. With as many as 61 riders within ten seconds of each other, a few men tried to break away including New Zealand veteran Shane Reed and Brit Will Clarke but both were eventually brought back to the lead group.
Out of the second transition, former world champion Ivan Rana took the early lead but it wasn’t long before he was passed by his teammate, Gomez. The European champion laid down a scorching pace and immediately surged to an insurmountable lead. Whitfield, the 2000 Olympic champion, tried to go with the leader but after the second lap, the Spaniard opened up a 21-second lead. Already a winner of three world cups this year and known as one of the greatest runners in triathlon, he ran his first lap of 2.5 kilometers in about 6 minutes and 40 seconds. Taking the bell lap, Gomez owned a 30-second lead and it was clearly evident no other man in the field would catch him. He absolutely hammered the Olympic course with the day’s best run split as he came across the line as the victor.
After Gomez, the battle was on for silver and bronze. Atkinson out-sprinted Olympic silver medalist Bevan Docherty down the stretch for the silver medal. Kris Gemmell came across the line in fourth place, missing the podium but earning an Olympic spot along with Docherty as the top two Kiwis. It was also a big day for Jarrod Shoemaker as he also earns an Olympic spot as the top American today, beating out Olympic veterans Potts and Kemper. Whitfield rounded out the top five while Belaubre failed to make the Beijing podium for the first time.
2007 Beijing BG Triathlon World Cup – Final Men’s Results:
1st – Javier Gomez (ESP) 1:48:41
2nd – Courtney Atkinson (AUS) 1:49:04
3rd – Bevan Docherty (NZL) 1:49:08
4th – Kris Gemmell (NZL) 1:49:15
5th – Simon Whitfield (CAN) 1:49:18
6th – Ivan Rana (ESP) 1:49:23
7th – William Clarke (GBR) 1:49:26
8th – Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS) 1:49:34
9th – Frederic Belabure (FRA) 1:49:37
10th – Jan Frodeno (GER) 1:49:44
As the official test event for the Olympic Games, many National Federations are using this world cup as part of their selection process.
El número uno Mundial Javier Gómez de España dejó pocas dudas dando un golpe de efecto con el liderato mundial siendo el mejor situado para los Juegos OlÃmpicos del próximo verano. Mientras que el oro OlÃmpico no ha estado esta vez en la lÃnea, Gómez ha ganado la batalla psicológica a sus competidores ganando hoy la Copa del Mundo de Triatlón BG de Beijing, el test oficial de la prueba OlÃmpica.
En una salida del pontón con un nivel de campeonato del mundo, muchos buscando una plaza en su propio equipo OlÃmpico ya que varias Federaciones Nacionales han designado esta copa del mundo como la llave clasificatoria en su proceso de selección. El poderoso nadador americano Andy Potts salió en cabeza del agua como hace a menudo en las carreras. A tan sólo 10 segundos estaba en número uno del mundo Javier Gómez. Con una desventaja de 4 segundos se encontraba un gran número de serios aspirantes al podium entre los que se incluÃan el ganador del año pasado Frederic Belaubre, el ganador del 2005 Hunter Kemper, el australiano Courtney Atkinson y el canadiense Simon Whitfield.
Copa del Mundo de Triatlón BG Beijing 2007 – Clasificación Final Masculina:
1st – Javier Gomez (ESP) 1:48:41
2nd – Courtney Atkinson (AUS) 1:49:04
3rd – Bevan Docherty (NZL) 1:49:08
4th – Kris Gemmell (NZL) 1:49:15
5th – Simon Whitfield (CAN) 1:49:18
6th – Ivan Rana (ESP) 1:49:23
7th – William Clarke (GBR) 1:49:26
8th – Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS) 1:49:34
9th – Frederic Belabure (FRA) 1:49:37
10th – Jan Frodeno (GER) 1:49:44
Como prueba test oficial para los Juegos OlÃmpicos, muchas Federaciones Nacionales están usando esta copa del mundo como parte de su proceso de selección.
