Mario Mola 2016 Triathlon World Champion

Only 4 points have brought Mario Mola to Jonathan Brownlee in the Ranking of the Ranking in an atypical final.

 

 

Mario Mola has conquered the 2016 Triathlon World Championship, after a frantic final in the Grand Final of the ITU World Series held this early morning Spanish peninsular time on the Mexican island of Cozumel. At the same time, Fernando Alarza He also joins the world podium of this edition by signing the bronze medal.

A total of 66 triathletes have taken the start in which an exciting competition was expected, in which Aurelien Raphael, Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee together with Joao Pereira led the start of the 1,5 km section of swimming through Caribbean waters and have headed the way to T1. Behind, Mario Mola has completed the sector 24 seconds behind the leaders, with Fernando Alarza at 26, Vicente Hernández at 32 and Pablo Dapena and 35.

The Spaniard finished fifth in the World Triathlon Series in Cozumel and won the world title for the first time in his career

Without losing a second, the youngest Brownlee has left the transition zone and formed a group of nine at the start of the 40 km of the cycling segment. A front group consisting of the two Yorkshire brothers, Henri Shoeman, Pereira, Gregory Billington, Raphael, Aaron Royle, Alessandro Fabian and Andrea Salvisberg.

After them, the Spanish quartet has integrated a large group chasing 45 triathletes that has started the cycling tour to 39 seconds of the head platoon. Throughout the eight laps of the course, the leaders have expanded their advantage. While in the pursuit block the Spanish, along with Richard Murray among a few, have tried to pull the group but, with little collaboration from the rest of the contenders, the differences became insurmountable and at the end of the 40 km the leaders have outstripped to the rest with a margin close to the minute and a half upon arrival at the T2.

He played a comeback, but the situation seemed complicated for the Spaniard. However, Mario Mola has shot out of the T2 trying to scratch valuable seconds. Previously, and after a quick transition, Jonathan Brownlee had rushed to place himself in the lead of the race on foot, with Shoeman and Alistair following in his wake. Very soon Jonathan and Shoeman have started to distance themselves from the rest of the opponents, while the recent Olympic champion in Rio, has placed in third position.

Meanwhile a spectacular Mario Mola has been climbing positions, marching in a group with Murray or Royle among other great adversaries. While Fernando Alarza 11 has been placed, with Vicente Hernández somewhat more delayed occupying the 23º position. Likewise, the fourth Spaniard in the field, Pablo Dapena had been left half-way through the cycling sector and has embarked on the race on foot considerably further from the rest.

"In very tough conditions, fortunately I could finish in the top five, considering that Jonhatan had not won the race " commented Mario afterr "" I knew that Alistair's role would be to help Jonathan.

 

Nor can I conceive otherwise because they are brothers. So considering that, I thought I was going to finish again as world runner-up, fighting to the end. But then I started to hear some comments about what had happened " Anadio.

 

"Nobody wants that, we're all big competitors and we want all of us to be good when we cross the finish line, it's not the way I would have liked, but this is a race, this is triathlon, and I'm happy with my world title.".

 

Video of Jonathan Brownlee's faint

Subtracting 3,5 km Jonathan Brownle has been unmarked in the front, with a strong stride and opening gap with his brother and Shoeman. Everything pointed then to the triumph of the youngest of the Brownlee, and with Mola marching in ninth position, it was unlikely that he would achieve the third place needed in this scenario to add his first world title.

However, everything has changed in the absence of 400 m, with a Jonathan Brownlee very damaged, giving obvious symptoms of faintness. His brother has reached it and both have rushed together the final 200 m to the finish line. Ahead, Shoeman has continued a journey that has led him to win the Grand Final in Cozumel. While in a final agony, Jonathan Brownlee has qualified second, with his brother Alistair entering third.

The triumph of Shoeman has changed the tables, presenting a new scenario and with Mola pressing in the last section to finish in fifth position and thus rise to the World Championship in a legendary final with an 4819 score. A podium in which he was accompanied by Jonathan Brownlee (4815 points) in second position and Fernando Alarza (4087 points), ninth in the last stage of the World Series, rounding a historic podium awarding the bronze medal.

For his part, Vicente Hernández has fought bravely until the end to qualify in 23ª position, while Pablo Dapena has finished in 48º place in this ninth stage of the circuit of the 2016 World Series.

Summary of the test

 

An atypical end to a season in which the Spanish triathlon has had a leading role. Mario Mola takes over from Javier Gómez Noya at the top of the podium as world champion. The Balearic has responded with an incredible push, leading the championship from start to finish, leaving together Alarza, extraordinary performances along these nine stages and signing a historic double on the final podium. Superb final to a magnificent 2016 edition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FETRI

Photo / Video: ITU