Eneko Llanos, vice-champion of the Triathlon world in Vitoria
Eneko Llanos He has won the silver medal in the long-distance Triathlon World Championship that is being held in Vitoria.
The Alavés entered the finish line just under two minutes behind Australian Chris McCormack, the big winner of the day and new champion. The winner spent 5 hours, 29 minutes and 45 seconds covering the 4 kilometers of swimming in the Landa reservoir, the 120 kilometers of cycling in a circuit that ran through Ozaeta, Salvatierra and Arcaute, among other towns, and the 30 kilometers of running. on foot through the urban center of the city. Luxembourger Dick Bockel won bronze.
The race, which will continue until late in the afternoon when the participants in the different age groups reach the finish line, was witnessed by a crowd of fans who cheered on the athletes on their journey through the city center. In addition to having a precise organization, this will be an aspect that will count very significantly in the candidacy of the capital of Alava to host high-level races or official championships in coming years.
Regarding the test itself, Llanos led it until the start of the running sector. But he immediately gave up first place to McCormack. Despite a few first moments of struggle on the part of the Vitorian - more out of pride than physical strength - the Australian distanced himself until he achieved victory with notable ease.
1.100 participants
Vitoria has breathed triathlon throughout the entire day. Not even the start of the Olympic Games this weekend has prevented the Triathlon World Championship from impacting Vitoria as the great sporting event that it is. More than 1.100 participants from 32 countries plus their companions have turned Álava and its capital into a sporting continuum, since there is no other activity or championship, with some exceptions, that takes place for so long and with such a large number of participants. In response to this great event, thousands of Vitorians have followed the evolution of the race in its three main venues, the Ullíbarri Gamboa reservoir, the bike circuit through the Llanada and the 30 kilometer race through the streets of the capital, all a luxury for a city that this year is a continental benchmark for being the European Green Capital 2012.
The cast of competitors has covered the entire range of origins (52 Japanese, 80 English, a hundred North Americans...) and abilities, from professionals to those who will participate in the open category for the pure love of physical exercise. Hence also the attraction of the race, which will not only allow us to admire supermen, but also ordinary athletes whose merit, looked at from a certain perspective, may be greater than that of the previous ones. The elite fought for a place on the podium in the course of 4 kilometers of swimming, 120 kilometers of cycling and 30 kilometers of walking. But the rest of the participants have fought against themselves in an impressive effort that the people of Vitoria and visitors have appreciated with bursts of applause at each step towards the finish line.
The Vitorian triathlon has also been an economic engine in the capital of Alava. «There is no longer a single free hotel space in the city. The only rooms that remain are in some pensions and with high prices, which are around 80 euros, despite not offering breakfast and not having the category of hotels," commented the Councilor for Citizen Services and Sports, Alfredo Iturricha, a few days ago. .
The popular mayor encouraged Vitorians to go out into the streets to cheer on the triathletes, something that many have done this morning. "One of the transitions will be on Olaguibel Street, and the finish line will be located in Plaza de España, so the outcome of the competition will be totally central and visible," he warned. Many others have followed the race in various stands placed in the finish area itself and on the giant screens installed in the Plaza de España.
elcorreo.com
