Digital magazines from the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and the World Triathlon Series
Issue link: http://worldtriathlon.uberflip.com/i/1313191
New Zealand's Ryan Sissons got his 2020 season off to a flying start in Mooloolaba with a brilliant gold in what would prove to be his last race before retirement as the pandemic later forced the postponement of the Olympic Games. Sissons outsprinted teammate Hayden Wilde to take the tape, Australia's own Luke Willian scoring a popular bronze. "I did everything I needed to do and put myself in the best possible position on the swim, right in contact," said Sissons. "On the bike, I was at the front the whole time and went off on the run as hard as I could to let everyone else chase. It is a good feeling. The last two years have been pretty average, I have had some good races and I have had some absolutely terrible ones. I came here determined to win." The sprint-distance race started on the Southern end of Mooloolaba beach with a 750m swim and it was Hayden Wilde who wore the number one, followed onto the start line by fellow New Zealand team member Sam Ward. Slovakian Richard Varga, Hungary's Mark Devay and Diego Moya from Chile were the first to hit the beach and file into the first transition of the day, Australian Commonwealth Games Mixed Relay gold medallist Matthew Hauser and Tayler Reid from New Zealand in close company. In fact, only 20 seconds separated the top half of the entire, 53-strong field and as the athletes bunched up even more in the opening stages of the bike, a huge train of nearly 30 elite men then rode together across the 20km bike course, Ben Dijkstra (GBR) and Ryan Bailie (AUS) among the names looking to pile on the pressure and force a decisive break away that never really came. A quick transition by Australia's Matthew Hauser saw him motor out of the second transition and lead out onto the run followed by two-time Olympian Ryan Sissons and Japan's Kenji Nener. Willian and Dijkstra were well-placed in the mix of the leading men but it was Sissons who showed no signs of backing down across the final stages of the run even with young gun Wilde hot on his heels. A thrilling final sprint effort then saw Sissons storm across the finish line to take the tape and the gold medal, Wilde clutching onto silver with an outstanding race just an arm's length behind, Willian taking the bronze. Dijkstra held on for fourth place ahead of Sam Ward, Kevin McDowell (USA), Kenji Nener, Matt Hauser, Rostislav Pevtsov (AZE) and Gianluca Pozzatti (ITA) rounding out the top ten. Determined Sissons sprints to Mooloolaba gold MOOLOOLABA WORLD CUP Full Results Watch the race on 35 contents