Two victories were marked by two new course records today at the fifth Challenge Barcelona with Sergio Marques (POR) and Eva Wutti (AUT) taking out the titles in 8:05:21 and 8:51:01 respectively in excellent conditions.
 Sergio Marques winning Challenge Barcelona(Photo: Challenge Family; click to enlarge) |
In the women's race, Eva Wutti, despite feeling prior to the race that she had not totally recovered from the exceptional time she achieved in Copenhagen, confirmed her place as top seed. "I didn't see myself as the favourite. Everyone told me I was but I didn't think I could make it. But I did!" she said after the race. "I improved on the race record by seven minutes, I am very happy. I did not race for the record but for sensations, I went out to give it all, which I did and the result was just perfect!"
Wutti's main competition of the day was Lucie Reed (CZE) who finished in 8:57:34 comfortably ahead of third place's Tina Boman (FIN) with 9:23:16.
In the men's race, despite a slower swim split, Marques managed to make up time on the bike course and finally overcame his rivals in the last part of the run. "I am very happy with this result, I was third in the last kilometers and I wasn't sure I was going to be able to catch up, but I fought hard and finally did it. I am thrilled by the mark I achieved, this course was quite fast and I do believe the weather helped me to manage this time."
British athlete Tom Lowe, one of the main favourites, finished second on the podium in 8:07:50 after chasing down third place getter, Konstantin Bachor (GER), on the run. Bachor rounded off the podium in 8:11:23.
Challenge Barcelona 2013 featured over 1,300 triathletes representing 36 countries and also doubled as the Spanish Long Distance Triathlon Championship for the second consecutive year.
