Miquel Blanchart Long Distance European Champion

Great weekend for the Spanish Triathlon, Miquel Blanchart was proclaimed European Long Distance Triathlon Champion today, Peru Alfaro, third place and Richard Calle, eighth

If it was only a month ago that Miquel Blanchart was proclaimed Spanish Middle Distance Triathlon Champion in Vitoria, it was today, in the Finnish town of Tampere, when he demonstrated that coincidences do not exist, showing his superiority over his rivals by managing to reach the finish line in first position, with a total time of 05:33:07.

In second position came the Finnish Jarmo Hast, with a time of 05:37:32, and third place went to the Spaniard Peru Alfaro, 05:38:26. The other Spaniard who has represented Spain in this Championship, Richard Calle, 05:40:41, achieved eighth position, thus maintaining the three Spaniards in the Top10 of the test.

The triathletes had to complete a circuit of 4000 meters by swimming, 120 km by bike and 30 kilometers by foot. At the exit from the water, a first group of about 10 triathletes was formed, among which were the Spanish. Once they reached the transition, Miquel Blanchart remained between 5th and 6th place during the 120 kilometers that the cycling segment lasted in the that Peru Alfaro was two positions ahead.

It was in the 30 kilometers of the running segment where it was finally decided who would win the three podium positions.

Peru fought for second place until kilometer 25, while Miquel Blanchart was advancing positions until he surpassed all his opponents and thus achieved first place. “If in Vitoria I was happy for having managed to be the champion of Spain at this distance, today It has been even more exciting. I felt good in the swimming segment, despite being last in the first group, I felt strong, in the cycling segment I maintained my positions and it was during the run where I managed to climb back to first position. My next challenge, in Las Vegas”

Peru Alfaro in turn achieved this creditable third place in the European Championship "I did not have very good feelings during the race, despite not feeling well, I managed to get out of the water well, maintain positions in the cycling segment, and place myself in the second place until kilometer 25 of the foot race, but finally lost this second place just 5 kilometers from the finish line, to enter third position. Despite my feelings, I am happy with this result”

Photo: http://www.photodeporte.com/

TOP 10 OF THE TEST
1 Blanchart Miquel ESP 05: 33: 07
2 Hast Jarmo FIN 05: 37: 32
3 Alfaro San Ildefonso Peru ESP 05: 38: 26
4 Vabrousek Petr CZE 05: 38: 53
5 Dalgaard Emil DEN 05: 39: 05
6 Annovazzi Matteo ITA 05: 39: 47
7 Kovacic Jaroslav SLO 05: 39: 57
8 STREET MARTINEZ RICHARD ESP 05: 40: 41
9 Yaroshenko Nikolay RUS 05: 40: 43
10 Petræus Rasmus DEN 05:41:33

All results:
http://www.triathlon.org/results/results/2011_tampere_etu_long_dictance_triathlon_european_championships/5856/