TRIATHLON 2016 I WORLD CUP RACES 174
GONZALEZ AND COOK SHINE IN CHENGDU
ROAD TO RIO RUNS THROUGH CHINA
The third stop of the World Cup circuit was hosted with
just over a month to until Olympic qualification closed,
meaning Olympic qualifying was the main goal for most of
the athletes competing in Chengdu
Rodrigo Gonzalez (MEX) won gold at the 2016 ITU
Chengdu World Cup, earning a career first podium at
World Cup level and improving his chances of a start at
the Rio Olympic Games. The Mexican crossed the line 27
seconds ahead of Rotyslav Pevtsov (AZE) with Marten
Van Riel (BEL) a further four seconds back in the bronze
medal position after the two out sprinted a large chase
pack in the final metres.
As for the ladies, it was a first time World Cup winner for
Summer Cook (USA), who took the gold ahead of Claire
Michel (BEL) and Lisa Perterer (AUT). Cook and Michel
proved the strongest as they edged clear on the run.
The American controlled the final lap expertly to notch
a career first World Cup win and was understandably
delighted with the gold medal.
