Carlos Ferrando and Ana Belén Maruny win the Olympic triathlon of Pilar de la Horadada

13 June, 2016Updated on June 13, 2016

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Thousands of spectators witness a test that gathered more than 500 triathletes from various points in the town.

The second test of the TriWhite Cup 2016, the most important and popular triathlon circuit in the Mediterranean with venues in three autonomous communities (Comunidad Valenciana, Región de Murcia and Andalucía) did not disappoint and became a sporting and social event for Pilar de la Horadada.

The town of Vega Baja was once again the scene of a competition in which sport and tourism reach their maximum expression surrounded by an attractive environment that catches more participants every day. More than 500 athletes took part in a competition that was followed by thousands of spectators from various points of the town, especially from the beach of Las Higuericas, the epicenter of the event.

At Olympic triathlon, the category reigns, the spectators could witness a new victory of Carlos Ferrando, of the University of Alicante (UA), who adds two triumphs in other so many disputed tests. On this occasion, the victory of Ferrando was very special, since it was dedicated on the same finish line to Luis Salom, a motorcyclist World Championship rider recently died after an accident during a training session. Ferrando came to the triathlon after 15 years linked to the world of motorcycles, in which he shared friendship, rivalry and training with Salom. "It's my farewell tribute," he said excitedly after crossing the arch.

Ferrando went from less to more in the test. He had a bad time in the water sector, where he admits he must improve, but in the cycling event, where he is well above his rivals, he recovered the lost ground and sentenced the race. Eduardo Chorda, of the Cartagena Triathlon, and Jorge Tomás, of Bitc Tri Impulso, faced him in the race, although Ferrando's final victory was incontestable. He crossed the finish line with a time of 1: 57: 49, one minute and one second of Chordá and with more than one and a half on Tomás.

In the female category, the test was dominated from start to finish by Ana Belén Maruny, of the Arena Triathlon, one of the classic ones of the circuit. The victory of Maruny was incontestable, leading all the sectors without giving option to any of its rivals. The Alicante crossed the arch with a time of 2: 23: 20, followed by the non-federated triathlete Mercedes Velasco more than seven minutes. The third position was for Amanda Cantle, from CT Índalo, almost ten minutes from the winner.

In category Sprint, the test that had the most participation, the victory was for Marc Cuevas, from the SYS Laboratories. Cuevas made a brilliant comeback and left with the honey on the lips the very young Sergio Baxter, from Huracán, winner of the last two editions of the TriWhite Cup in the Super Sprint category. The triathlete of the SYS stopped the chrono in 59: 23, to 16 seconds of Baxter. The third place went to Javier Magallón, from the University of Alicante, one minute away from the winner.

In women, Laura Duran, of the Caravaca Triathlon, was the winner with a time of 1: 12: 22, followed by Paula Chafer, of Arena Alicante, with a time of 1: 15: 38, and of Mercedes Sánchez, of the University of Alicante, with a brand of 1: 16: 08.

In the distance Super Sprint, a test in which the future triathlon promises are traditionally cited, Luis Santos, of the Adesavi San Vicente, won with the victory, second of the current season, with a time of 00: 32: 29, followed by Miguel Baidal, of the Stadio Alicante, to 12 seconds and of Leo Navarro, of the CT Arena Alicante, to 44. In women, Andrea Durán, of the Caravaca Triathlon, was the winner with an 00 brand: 38: 29. Sara Navarro and Agustina Salis, both from Arena Alicante, escorted her on the podium to 53 seconds and more than two minutes, respectively.

At the conclusion of the tests, representatives of the City Council of Pilar de la Horadada and the organization have delivered to the first classified of each of the categories, both individual and by teams, of the medals and trophies. The test has counted on triathletes representative of more than 100 clubs in Spain, highlighting the Arcos Albacete and the Outsiders of San Sebastian de los Reyes, who have moved 30 and 20 triathletes, respectively, to Pilar de la Horadada.

The test could be followed live on social networks through the hashtag #TriwhiteLIVE. Pilar de la Horadada has been the second stage of an exciting circuit that will live next week a new chapter in the neighboring town of Torrevieja.