New Zealand stood atop the men's podium and one step down on the women's with Bevan Docherty in first place and Nicky Samuels second at the inaugural Beijing International Triathlon on Monday NZT.
Featuring a 1.5 km swim in Qing Long Lake, a 40 km bike race through the villages of Fengtai to Qian Ling Mountain, the highest peak in Southwest Beijing, and a final 10 km run along stone paths, trails and bridges of Qing Long Lake Park, this all-new Olympic distance triathlon truly showcased the beauty, tradition and hospitality of China.
Racers from 13 to 65 years old represented 25 countries that participated in the triathlon. A prestigious field of the world's top professional athletes including Chris "Macca" McCormack, Bevan Docherty, Matt Reed, Brian Fleishmann, Bai Faquan, Jenna Parker, Becky Lavelle, Sarah Groff, Ricarda Lisk, Nicky Samuels and Zhang Yi, competed for $100,000 in prize money.
"It was the perfect day in the Fengtai district of Beijing for a triathlon, the air was clean, the water temperature comfortable and the course smooth with flat roads, good climbs and picturesque scenery; it had everything," said Taupo's Bevan Docherty.
"I felt really strong throughout the entire race, even when I was neck and neck with Matt Reed on the bike and then again after a bit of cat and mouse with him on the run, I was able to push ahead. It was a great race, a lot of fun and I look forward to coming back to Beijing next year."
"After the high pressure environment of racing in the London Olympics, to come to Beijing and feel the warmth of the people, the cheers from the crowds and see the beautiful scenery, it made me remember why I love this sport," said 2012 Beijing International Triathlon Female First Place Winner Sarah Groff.
The event is a partner to the famous Escape from Alcatraz triathlon, with the top 50 place getters in all age group categories earning spots on the start line at Alcatraz next March.
The race continues a strong end to the season for Docherty as he builds to his final appearance on the ITU circuit with the Barfoot & Thompson ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Auckland on Labour Weekend.
Samuels also raced strongly: the London Olympian will be another to feature on the strength based Auckland waterfront course in late October. The ITU World Cup in Tongyeong next weekend beckons next for the Wanaka athlete, where she will line up alongside fellow Kiwi Rebecca Kingsford.
Results: Beijing International Triathlon
Elite Men
1 Bevan Docherty NZL 1:54:24
2 Matt Reed USA 1:54:53
3 Chris McCormack AUS 1:56:37
Elite Women
1 Sarah Groff USA 2:04:09
2 Nicky Samuels NZL 2:05:52
3 Becky Lavelle USA 2:06:40
For more information visit www.beijinginternationaltriathlon.com.
