TRIATHLON 2016 I ABU DHABI 46
MOLA MULLS OVER THE
COMPETITION
ROAD TO RIO REOPENS IN ABU DHABI
Spain's Mario Mola started off the 2016 ITU World
Triathlon Series season exactly where he finished, on
top of the podium. He even shook off a slow swim and a
penalty to win the opening race of the new WTS season.
While at stages it looked like South Africa's Richard
Murray was in catching distance, Mola simply surged
away to collect his second WTS win in Abu Dhabi, and
his second win in a row after winning the 2015 Grand
Final in Chicago. Finishing second was Mola's training
partner Murray with Portugal's Joao Silva good for
bronze.
"Things couldn't have got much harder, it was very
hot outside, of course it's hot for everyone, but it
made it very tough," Mola said. "I didn't swim great, but
I was able to get to the front on the bike and then when
they called me for the penalty, I imagined it was going to
be a bad day…but when I had those 10, 15 seconds, I
thought, that is the time to stop and get back into the
pack again. I felt great, and I was happy to get the
win there."
The day also had an emotional start when the elites
laid flowers in tribute of their beloved passed triathlete
Laurent Vidal.
