Not far from legendary Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, the tenth stop of the 2007 BG Triathlon World Cup series was contested. The home crowds were out in full force to cheer on the local hopes, including reigning world champion Tim Don, for the only UK stop in world cup triathlon history. The British contingent battled a large international field that included 150 men and women from 33 countries.
The women’s field was buzzing with world number one Vanessa Fernandes racing in her first world cup since Madrid in early June. The four-time European champion was her usual dominant self as she cruised to her 17th career world cup win. The Portuguese superstar remains firmly as the world number one as she set her sights on her first world championship later this year in Hamburg. Samantha Warriner of New Zealand finished second while Olympic champion Kate Allen took the bronze.
A number of serious contenders lined up for the men’s field, one of the deepest of the world cup series this year. All eyes were on world number one Javier Gomez, and the men nipping at his heels in the rankings, Kiwi Bevan Docherty and Simon Whitfield of Canada. But it was the Spanish sensation Gomez who pulled away from the field and dropped all challengers to claim his fifth world cup win.
Elite Men:
2007 Salford BG Triathlon World Cup – Top 3
1. GOMEZ, Javier (ESP) 1:51:47
2. KAHLEFELDT, Brad (AUS) 1:51:59 +:12
3. WHITFIELD, Simon (CAN) 1:52:04 +:18
Elite Women:
2007 Salford BG Triathlon World Cup – Top 3
1. FERNANDES, Vanessa (POR) 2:02:59
2. WARRINER, Samantha (NZL) 2:03:17 +:19
3. ALLEN, Kate (AUT) 2:03:23 +:25
