Vicente Hernández, silver medal in the European Championship of Triathlon Sub23

A sensational Vicente Hernández has obtained the subchampionship in the European Sub23 held in Penza (Russia), while Miriam Casillas won the fourth place in the women's competition.
The day started with the women's competition, in which the two Spaniards in contention Miriam Casillas and Melina Alonso came out of the swimming segment well placed, to then face the 40 km cyclists on a circuit that included a steep climb, in the vicinity of a wooded area and that incorporated a very fast descent. After the second of the eight laps of the sector, Alonso was in the front group with Casillas in a second group, 15 seconds behind the leaders.
The cold and strong wind made havoc among the contenders, making competition difficult. In spite of it and fruit of the great effort of the persecuting squad, mediated the segment they managed to reach and to fuse with the front block, forming a very compact group in which both Spanish appeared. Both Spaniards would stand out in this stage of the race, staying well positioned and at times pulling the leading group.
In this way they reached the second transition and were preparing to start the last stretch of 10 km of running. Casillas would demonstrate his good work in the race on foot and completed the first of the four laps of the sector, he remained in fourth place. The Extremaduran returned to star in a splendid competition exhibiting its formidable level, and after the triumph just a week ago in the Sprint Larache Triathlon European Cup, crossed the finish line in fourth position. While Melina Alonso also made a remarkable performance in Penza, achieving the eighth place and entering the Top-10 of the final classification.
In the end after an intense fight, the local triathlete Elena Danilova was lifted to the top of the podium with the French Perault entering second just seven seconds from the Russian. While Sofie Hooghe (Belgium) completed the podium in third position.
Vicente Hernández, sub-champion of Europe Sub23
In the men's competition the Spaniards also performed at a great level. Four of the six Spaniards, Uxio Abuín, Vicente Hernández, Ricardo Hernández and David Castro, left the swimming segment among the first and headed for the first transition to start the cycling sector. While Lucas Mola and Nan Oliveras left more behind after completing the 1,5 km of swimming.
After three laps of the cyclist sector, Uxio Abuín, Vicente Hernández and Ricardo Hernández were part of the head group, with David Castro and Lucas Mola in the pursuit squad to 30 second of the first ones, while Nan oliveras had to retire. During the following laps, the competition would continue its course without major variations, and with the three Spaniards retaining their positions in the front group. However, in the closing stages of the circuit there would be several changes with David Castro having to leave the competition and the Galician Abuín remaining relegated from the peloton.
After passing through the pits, Vicente Hernández managed to emerge among the leaders in a group composed of the Santa Cruz, the Frenchman Antony Pujades, the Portuguese Pedro Mendes, the British Gordon Benson and the Belgians Cristoph De Keyser and Jelle Geens. The fight for the podium would be between these six triathletes, who throughout the four laps of this section would struggle to take the continental title.
In a very close final, the British Benson would be the one who would rise with the victory, crossing the finish line with just three seconds of advantage over Vicente Hernández. The Spaniard, who arrived in Penza after winning the bronze medal in the elite category during the elite European Championship held last weekend in Kitzbühel, starred in a splendid race on foot to obtain the runner-up in Russian soil. For his part, the Portuguese Mendes completed the podium seven seconds behind the winner.
The rest of Spaniards also got outstanding performances, with Uxio Abuín reaching seventh place and Ricardo Hernández qualifying in 12ª position. While the debutant Lucas Mola obtained the 27º position of the classification, showing a great progression.
Today will be the turn for the youngest with the dispute of the European Triathlon Youth Championship that will take place in the relay modality. In the female competition we will have Cecilia Santamaría, Raquel Mateos and Ana Carvajal; while in boys, Alberto González, Javier Lluch and Andrés Cendán will take the start.
At the same time, the European Championship of Mixed Relay Sub23 will also be held, which will be in charge of putting the end to these two days full of European triathlon.