18th June 2007 - For immediate release

Docherty Second In Des Moines

New Zealand triathlete Bevan Docherty defied a recent heavy workload and a lack of a taper to finish an incredible second at round seven of the BG World Cup circuit in Des Moines Iowa this morning. In doing so the world number four ranked triathlete picked up a healthy US$40,000 pay cheque in the richest World Cup race in history.

With the focus for the New Zealand athletes very much on Olympic qualifying at the Beijing World Cup race later in the year, Docherty, Kris Gemmell, Shane Reed and Terrenzo Bozzone were not favoured against the North American and Europeans targeting the rich Des Moines race.

But all featured strongly throughout the day, mixing it at the sharp end of the strongest World Cup field assembled so far this year. Gemmell was the best placed Kiwi out of the swim in 15th place and in touch with the leader Andy Potts (USA) and close enough to be in the lead group of seven early on the bike.

Not far behind though was a large chase pack including Docherty, Reed and Bozzone and it was largely through the hard work of Docherty and ex-pat Kiwi Paul Amey (GBR) that the chase initially proved successful, forming a large lead pack of 31 midway through the bike leg.

Matt Reed (USA) led another attack however as he tried desperately to put some distance on the more renowned runners in the field. In doing so the brother of Kiwi Shane Reed dragged six others with him, including Amey and winner in Vancouver last week Simon Whitfield (CAN).

The Kiwis were prominent in the chase pack however eventually closing the gap to one minute down on the leaders, and Docherty knew he had to do some hard work at that point.

"I found myself in a bad spot on the bike, just off the back of the lead pack but I rallied a few of the others to work with me. I felt awesome at that point to be honest and knew that the money was up the road so did something about it. Once I was in the lead group I knew I would finish well."

Early in the 10km run Dane Rasmuss Henning kicked clear of Whitfield while Amey and Matt Reed fell back through the field, their race run. It was Docherty and Spaniard Javier Gomez who set about chasing down the leader with the most intent as the others began to fall away in the hot and humid conditions.

The two went stride for stride and cut the lead in half inside the first five kilometres but simply ran out of gas and time to catch the flying Dane. Docherty though finished strongly ahead of Gomez and was delighted with his days work.

"I am speechless to think I have gone so well and really pleased to have finished on the podium - albeit I am a little surprised given my focus is really on Beijing in September. I am a long way off peaking but training has gone well in Boulder and today saw the result of some of the hard work I have been putting in."

Docherty was full of praise for the Dane.

"Rasmuss deserved his win today; he put himself in the right place and finished strong. A great indication of where I am at though is the fact I ran with and out kicked Javier (Gomez) because he is quite simply where it is at with regards running off the bike at the moment."

Gemmell held on to finish in the final money position of 15th, taking home US$3,000 for a tough days work, one place ahead of Shane Reed. Bozzone meanwhile finished bravely in 24th position, an incredible result given the short time he has had back training after serious injury in 2006.

BG World Cup, R7, Des Moines, Iowa

Elite Men

Pos / Name / Country / Time / Diff. 

1 / R. Henning / DEN / 1:50:03 / 00:00 
2 / B. Docherty / NZL / 1:50:33 / 00:30 
3 / J. Gomez / ESP / 1:50:46 / 00:42 
4 / T. Don / GBR / 1:50:57 / 00:54 
5 / G. Bennett / AUS / 1:51:02 / 00:58 
6 / S. Whitfield / CAN / 1:51:08 / 01:05 
7 / D. Sapunov / KAZ / 1:51:24 / 01:21 
8 / J. Shoemaker / USA / 1:51:42 / 01:39 
9 / A. Glushchenko / UKR / 1:51:44 / 01:41 
10 / I. Rana /ESP / 1:51:50 / 01:47 

Plus NZers

15 / K. Gemmell / NZL / 1:52:30 / 02:26 
16 / S. Reed / NZL / 1:52:38 / 02:35
24 / T. Bozzone / NZL / 1:54:24 / 04:21

European Cup, Schiliersee, Germany

Meanwhile it was a disappointing day for the New Zealanders competing at the latest round of the European Cup in Germany.

In a race dominated by a large contingent of local athletes, Tony Dodds was the best of the Kiwi men in 44th place. James Elvery could not add to his ITU points ranking with a disappointing 66th place finish.

Elite Men

Pos / Athlete / Country / Time

1 / Simko Pavel / SVK / 2:00:26
2 / Al-Sultan Faris / GER / 2:01:52
3 / Springer Thomas / GER / 2:02:04
4 / Muetschard Helge / GER / 2:02:10
5 / Raelert Andreas / GER 2:02:28

Plus NZers

44 / Dodds Tony / NZL / 2:06:49
47 / Visser Benjamin / NZL / 2:07:06
66 / Elvery James / NZL / 2:10:39
67 / Johnson Hamish / NZL / 2:10:42
68 / McNeice Dylan / NZL / 2:10:49

Elite Women

No information available at this point on Kelly Bruce (NZL)

ENDS