Gemmell Delighted With Placing

Gemmell Delighted With Placing On The Back Of Heavy Training Programme

Kris Gemmell was the best performed of the Kiwi men at the International Triathlon Union World Cup in Madrid in a race full of attack and counter attack at the head of the field.

Despite coming off some big training mileage, Gemmell crossed the line in round five of the World Cup in 11th place, just over one minute behind surprise winner Filip Ospaly from the Czech Republic. The 13th ranked Ospaly upset local fans by relegating local favourites Javier Gomez and Ivan Rana to the minor placings.

Unlike the women’s race which turned into an out and out running race, the men’s race was subject to a number of attacks on the bike, effectively splitting the field and taking the sting out of many legs in the warm conditions.

Gemmell though was delighted with his finish given his preparation wasn’t with Spain in mind.

“Given my programme of late I am delighted with the result and feel right now as though I haven’t raced. I haven’t tapered and have just come off some pretty big weeks at altitude and to be honest didn’t expect to be as close as I was.”

“I’m a bit of a broken record on this but the big race for me is not today, this year for me is about Beijing and qualifying for the Olympics, that is the goal. We had one of the best in the world in Hamish Carter show us all how to peak for the big races and base a career on winning the big days and that is what I am about at the moment, focusing big time on Beijing.”

Of the other New Zealanders Clark Ellice and James Elvery finished in 31st and 33rd places respectively while Liam Scopes was 53rd. 23 year old Elvery struggled to stay with the pace on the run after a strong swim and bike saw him amongst the chasing pack, in itself an incredible achievement for an athlete so raw at this level.

“Given this is just my fourth World Cup race I am not too disappointed with the finish, especially in light of the aggressive nature of the race. I had a good swim and stayed in touch with the lead pack on the bike. That early pace on the hills was tough though and I began to feel the altitude a little with the asthma causing a few issues.”

“I was happy to get off the bike where I was, ahead of Clark. I sat back a little early hoping to bring it home strong but about five kilometres in my legs locked up and I just felt weak, paying a price I think for the altitude and my recent travels. I slowed a little at the end and couldn’t finish it strong but I am not totally dissatisfied in what was a massive field.”

Similarly Clark Ellice was not despondent moments after an incredibly tough race but admitted he started poorly.

“I missed the swim, it was average and I’m not sure why. It meant I had to smash myself on the bike to get back in touch. Luckily I have been training at about the same altitude in France as here and rode aggressively. At one point we had a group working hard and actually making time on the leaders.”

“I actually felt good into the run and managed to roll over James right at the end. Once again though I am in or near the 20’s at a World Cup and honestly it is getting a bit boring – it is about time I cracked the top 15 I think!”

Next up for the contingent of Kiwi triathletes is Round 6 of the World Cup in Vancouver next weekend followed a week later by Round 7 in Des Moines USA.

ITU World Cup R5, Madrid Spain

Elite Men Results

Rank Name Nation Gross time Diff.
1 Filip OSPALY
Czech Republic 1:55:47
2 Javier GOMEZ
Spain 1:55:52 0:00:05
3 Ivan RANA
Spain 1:56:08 0:00:21
4 Daniel UNGER
Germany 1:56:11 0:00:24
5 Maik PETZOLD
Germany 1:56:14 0:00:27
6 Tim DON
Great Britain 1:56:25 0:00:38
7 Jan FRODENO
Germany 1:56:30 0:00:43
8 Laurent VIDAL
France 1:56:36 0:00:49
9 Sebastian DEHMER
Germany 1:56:42 0:00:55
10 Stuart HAYES
Great Britain 1:56:48 0:01:01
PLUS
11 Kris GEMMELL
Palmerston North/NZ 1:56:55 0:01:08
31 Clark ELLICE
New Plymouth/NZ 1:58:49 0:03:02
33 James ELVERY Auckland/NZ 1.58:57 0:03:10
53 Liam SCOPES Auckland/NZ 2:05:10 0:09:23
DNF Ben PULHAM Auckland/NZ

*Ben Visser withdrew through illness prior to the race

ends

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