TRIATHLON 2012 ยท WORLD CUP SERIES
202
BANYOLES - USA ALL THE WAY
US STARS WIN BOTH MEN'S AND WOMEN'S RACES
Following a successful European Cup in 2011, the
Spanish city of Banyoles hosted the fourth ITU Triathlon World Cup. The race took place in and
around Lake Banyoles, the rowing venue at the
1992 Barcelona Olympics.
An early break in the swim that amounted into one
minute and 40 seconds into Transition 2 failed to
be enough for Lucy Hall and local favourite Carolina
Routier. The running prowess of Gwen Jorgensen,
Erin Densham and Ashleigh Gentle eventually over-
hauled their large lead and demanded notice from
all other athletes leading into the London Olympics.
While the temperatures certainly heated up at the
men's race, the competition didn't get steamy until
the final discipline. The race was a game of wait
and see, as a pack of more than 50 men competed
in one large group until the run.
It was worth the wait for young Lukas Verzbicas, as
the run proved to be a pivotal moment in the competition and his career. The 19-year old Junior
World Champion made his debut on the elite international circuit with a tremendous final run lap to
earn him his first World Cup title.
