Digital magazines from the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and the World Triathlon Series
Issue link: http://worldtriathlon.uberflip.com/i/1313191
Over the standard distance and on a hugely demanding course, Vincent Luis' Karlovy Vary gold really never looked in doubt from the moment he had powered out of the first transition. Behind him at the line, Portugal's Vasco Vilaça again impressed to take silver Belgium's Jelle Geens motoring to bronze with a stunning run. "It's really nice to race as the World Champ. Karlovy Vary is a great race and a tough one that really rewards the best swim-bike-runner," said Luis. "I was really happy with the group on the bike and it was a shame they (Kenji Nener and Mark Devay) crashed there with 1km to go, but it's the kind of race I like; a quick breakaway on the bike and then a fight against the top runners. The men lined up under optimal dry, sunny conditions on the edge of Rolava Lake and it was at the end of the first lap of the testing swim that Richard Varga (SVK) came out ahead of the pack, running down the pontoon and launching himself back in for the second pass closely pursued by Luis. Luis took to the front over the final few hundred metres, rounding off what was a devastating swim for his main rivals and their chances of staying in touch on the bike. He followed it with a typically liquid transition to roll out to the point-to-point bike section ahead, Schomburg, Devay (HUN) and Nener (JPN) for company, Vilaça and Germany's Jonas Breinlinger bridging up. A strong six behind were doing their best to close in, Csongor Lehmann (HUN), Alessandro Fabian (ITA), Diego Moya (CHI) and Bence Bicsak (HUN) among the names trying to catch on as they hit the town section without success. The gap grew lap-by-lap as the leaders worked well and attacked together, from 60 seconds up to 80 on the final lap, a not-100% fit Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR), Geens, Richard Murray (RSA) and Ben Dijkstra (GBR) unable to get into striking position. A dramatic late twist saw Nener and Devay come together in the tunnel on the final lap to sadly end their challenges, Schomburg also tangled up but carrying on suddenly some 25 seconds back, and it was Breinlinger, Vilaça and Luis 1-2-3 out of T2. Murray and Geens set about their 10km task 65 seconds back, but out front for the second week in succession it was Luis and Vilaça shoulder to shoulder as Breinlinger dropped back on the first climb. After passing Schomburg, Geens closed in on Breinlinger, and had cut into Luis' lead at the halfway point of the 10km but was running out of course. The Frenchman was losing Vilaça by this point too, and the final 5km became yet another showcase of Luis' impeccable technique and relentless power. The World Champion delivered another big statement of intent to grab World Cup gold, Geens easing through the gears and into a podium spot after dropping Murray who finished in fourth, Breinlinger eventually finishing in eighth. Bence Bicsak was in good shape for fifth, the Spanish duo of Genis Grau and Antonio Serrat claiming sixth and seventh, Lehmann and Dijkstra rounding out the top 10. Outstanding Luis powers to Karlovy Vary World Cup gold KARLOVY VARY WORLD CUP Full Results Watch the race on 48 contents