Digital magazines from the International Triathlon Union (ITU) and the World Triathlon Series
Issue link: http://worldtriathlon.uberflip.com/i/1313191
Pavel Andreev again showed just why he is the Winter Triathlon King, the Russian displaying all his skills in Campolongo di Asiago, showing control in the run section, patience on the bike and attacking the cross country ski to claim the title for the eight time. With almost 30 men toeing the start line on a cold and sunny morning in Asiago, and the thermometers marking 9 below zero, it was the 2019 silver medallist Dimitri Bregeda who took the lead on the first lap of the run, followed closely by the young Italian, Franco Pesavento, much to the delight of the local crowds. Both pushed hard while Andreev stayed some 50m behind in a small chase group and that would be the situation as they arrived into the first transition, though things were about to change over the demanding bike course. With Bregeda leading on the first of the uphills, he was quickly caught by Marek Rauchfuss (CZE). Bronze medallist in the Worlds in Asiago last year, the Czech was the one to beat today on the bike course, passing the group of Russians to open a gap of almost 50 seconds by the time they were onto the skis and through to the cross-country. But experience was key, and Andreev managed to keep calm so that, lap by lap, he first caught Bregeda then made a final push to pass Rauchfuss just 500m out from the finish line. The Czech crossed in second place seven seconds behind, while Bregeda completed the podium adding a bronze medal to his extensive collection. Cheered by hundreds of spectators, Guiseppe Lamastra managed to finish in the 4th place, improving considerably his performance in the same venue last year, where he could only finish in the 11th position. In the U23 category, a popular victory went to local hero Franco Pesavento, born right in the Asiago region, for the second year running, Evgenii Evgrafov (RUS) and Mario Kosut (SVK) completing the podium. The Junior race was filled with drama, young Norwegian Casper Ronning, at only 16 years of age, dominating the race from the beginning to claim the title, Russian Yaroslav Kurilenov finishing in second and Danila Egorov capitalising on two late falls from Vladislav Semenov to sprint to bronze. WINTER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ASIAGO Andreev earns eighth world title Full Results 98 contents