Ashleigh Gentle wins the Canadian Open

Yesterday the women's test of the Canadian Open organized by the PTO, where some of the best triathletes in the world have been.

The test that was disputed under the 100 km format(2-80-18) began at 18:30 p.m. with the swim segment.

The first to come out of the water was Vittoria Lopes with a slight advantage over a second group with Sara Perez, Lauren Brandon, Julie Derron and Ashleigh Gentle.

By the end of the first bike lap, Paula Findlay had moved from tenth to second with Lopes in sight. Findlay, recent winner of the Canadian National Time Trial Championship, was soon leading and pushing hard to distance all the competitors.

With 40 km covered, Findlay came through the transition with a smile, his lead was 1:06 over Gentle, Ellie Salthouse Nicola Spirig and Lopes. Further back, Emma Pallant-Browne, a pre-race favourite, was forced out of the race with a flat front tyre. Meanwhile, Jocelyn McCauley was riding alone 2:08 behind with Laura Philipp (PTO World #3) at 2:40 behind Findlay.

By the end of lap three, Findlay held a 1:34 lead over the same pack of pursuers, McCauley and Philipp trailing a few more seconds. As she returned to a cheering crowd at the end of the 80km bike course, the Canadian's defense was up to two minutes over Jocelyn McCauley, who dominated the bike to reach T2 in second place.

During the four-lap 18km race, Findlay kept up a strong pace, but Ashleigh Gentle, in second place by 1,3km, was the fastest moving on the course. While Findlay did not slow down, Gentle caught up with Findlay at about 7 km.

Behind, Laura Philipp was in third place, but seemed to be working hard. Meanwhile, Chelsea Sodar, 2th in T14, came right on Philipp's shoulder at XNUMXkm.

Gentle continued her strong pace to victory in a time of 3:30:53 and a run of 1:03:17, the fastest of the day, to become the inaugural PTO Canadian Open Champion and claim the prize. of $100,000.

Findlay finished second in 3:33:16 and third was Sodaro who took advantage of his experience to break away from Philipp and get on the podium in 3:34:56 and a check for $50,000.

The Spanish Sara Perez he did not have his day and finished in 26th position.

“I just had the most amazing day today. It has not been the easiest two or three years and I am grateful for all the people who continued to believe in me. I'm so proud of myself," Gentle said.

“I didn't start the sport of triathlon for money, but I have bills to pay, I'm an adult, and I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity the PTO has given us here.”

Before winning today, Gentle was the #17 PTO in the world. This qualification will improve and you are virtually guaranteed an automatic qualification spot in the International Team for the Collins Cup next month in Slovakia (Aug 20, 2022).

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