Digital magazines from the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and the World Triathlon Series
Issue link: http://worldtriathlon.uberflip.com/i/1313191
Challenging weather conditions greeted the 32 women lining up in Valencia, and it was British running star Beth Potter who was able to take them in her stride and claim a first ever World Cup victory, followed over the finish line by Swiss star Nicola Spirig and Germany's rising talent Lisa Tertsch. "To end the season on two highs, I am really happy," said Potter. "I was quite nervous. I wanted to come off on a high, and I am glad I could go one better than Arzachena. I came off towards the back of the pack and when I felt like I could make that move on the run, I just went for it." Under heavy showers, the women lined up on the edge of Valencia Port for the final event of the 2020 season, and it was Brazil's Djenyfer Arnold taking the lead from the first strokes in the calm waters that the America's Cup boats had navigated a few years ago. Arnold led from start to transition, with the strong Portuguese squad of Gabriela Ribeiro, Melanie Santos, Vera Vilaça and Helena Carvalho right on her feet. Sara Perez Sala (ESP), Natalie Van Coevorden (AUS) and Beth Potter (GBR) also managed to enter transition only 8 seconds behind the leaders, turning their heads going up the ramp to find that one of the pre-race favourites, Nicola Spirig, was well off the pace. With the help of Verena Steinhauser (ITA) and Beatrize Mallozzi (ITA) the group quickly organized itself but it wasn't even the end of the first lap that Spirig had managed to catch up, then powering a large train of over 20 athletes for the majority of the 20km bike ride. The Swiss knew that when it came to leg power, very few could challenge her, but every effort to try to break away was in vain, and the large group entered the second transition all together just as the last drops of rain faded away. It was when it all came down to the run that Potter showed she was the one to beat. Coming from the back of the bike pack, she was quickly leading a group of seven athletes marching in front, alongside Spirig, Lisa Tertsch, Luisa Baptista (BRA), Santos, Steinhauser and Mallozzi. With only one 5km lap to tackle, Potter kept pushing hard and was soon dropping athletes from the leading group. First was Santos, then the two Italians followed and halfway through the run, Potter added an extra gear that nobody could match. Just a few seconds behind her, the drama of a sprint finish for second and third ended up with the Swiss double-Olympic medallist Spirig again showing her class and proving that even on a first international race after an injury, she can never be counted out. Behind her, Lisa Tertsch narrowly held off Luisa Baptista to grab bronze with a dive for the line, Mallozzi rounding out the top five. First World Cup win for Beth Potter in Valencia VALENCIA WORLD CUP Watch the race on Full Results 76 contents