Great performance of the juniors in the European Cup of Quarteira
Antonio Serrat and Roberto Sánchez climbed to the podium of the European Cup of Quarteira Júnior in the men's category. While Cecilia Santamaría stayed at the doors, entered fourth, after making a splendid demonstration in Portuguese lands.
Local Helena Carvalho was the first to complete the 750m swimming segment, closely followed by German Laura Lindemann, Spanish Carmen Gómez, Charlotter Ahrens (Germany) and Maya Kingma from the Netherlands. At the end of the first transition, a group of eight, including Cecilia Santamaría, Inés Santiago and Carmen Gómez, took the lead in the contest. This block would command the test during the 20 km cyclists, with a comfortable advantage obtained in the initial swimming segment.
Having arrived at the definitive sector of 5 km of running race, everything was to decide, with the eight triathletes playing the places of the podium. The Teutonic Lindemann was the first to leave the T2, with the French Audrey Merle and Santamaría following in her footsteps.
The German would be surpassed by Merle and his compatriot and ultimately winner, Cassandre Beaugrand. The French duo would take the first two places of the podium, with Lindemann signing the third position. Behind, and after a great wear came Cecilia Santamaría in a prominent fourth place. Carmen Gómez and Inés Santiago also made a meritorious performance, crossing the line of goal in sixth and eighth position respectively; and gathering valuable points for the ranking.
On the other hand Raquel Mateos achieved the 13ª position, Marta Sánchez was classified in 31º place, Marina Castro was 33ª; Sara Guerrero, 38ª; Ana Carvajal, 39ª; Carla Castaño, 41ª; Sara Ruiz, 46ª; Meritxell Velasco, 48ª; Eva Morales, 59ª; Cristina Tortella, 60ª; Mar Solís, 62ª and Irene Cabrera arrived in 63º place.
In the men's event, the Spaniards stood out from the start. Finished the 750 m of swimming the triathletes came out very close to the water with Alberto González second, after the German Stefan Konrad. Already in the cyclist section, the Galician Andrés Cendán was placed in the leading group along with Gonzalez, recent champion of Spain Duathlon in category cadet.
However, in the course of the second round they were hunted by the pursuing group, in which the Spaniards circulated Antonio Serrat and Roberto Sánchez. This is how they would reach T2, with Serrat making a quick transition to lead the last leg of the race on foot.
Thus, five triathletes fought for the podium positions from the beginning of the sector, until, with 500 m left, the Frenchman Maxime Hueber-Moosbrugger made a change of pace and managed to get away from the rest, with Serrat trying to follow in his wake; but finally the Gaul prevailed and won the gold medal. After a spectacular race, the Vigo player would cross the finish line just four seconds behind Hueber-Moosbrugger. While the triathlete from Mislata (Valencia), Roberto Sánchez achieved a brilliant third place.
Three other Spaniards would accompany them in the final Top-10, Arturo Galián finishing sixth, Alberto González seventh, and Andrés Cendán, eighth. Behind, Jesús Del Val was classified in 31ª position, Javier Lluch, 48º; Joan Noguera, 51º and Plácido Venegas in 62ª place.
A great day for our young triathletes, who continue to show their progress. All this in a competition that gave important points for the next Olympic Youth Games, to be held in Nanking (China) during the month of August.
There are no previous results.
