David Cantero wins the Lanzarote World Cup and gets off to a strong start in 2026

The Lanzarote Triathlon World Cup 2026 already has its names. David cantero He took the victory in the men's category after beating the German Tim hellwig in a sprint finish, while the German Nina Eim She won the women's race in Costa Teguise after resolving a very tactical race in the final kilometers.

Lanzarote opened the 2026 international calendar of World triathlon with a high-level day on Las Cucharas beach and its surroundings.

The event brought together about 120 elite triathletes from some thirty countries and awarded the first important points of the year in a season that is already starting to pave the way to Los Angeles.

A very open, feminine start and a Marta Pintanel on the verge of the podium

The women's race began with a lot of movement from the swim. The Frenchwoman candice denizot She set the first pace in the water, although it was the Spanish woman who did. Ana Carballo who started first towards the bike. In the cycling segment, two very close groups formed, with favorites such as Georgia Taylor-Brown, Laura Lindemann, Marta Pintanel y Miriam Casillas.

As the kilometers passed, the leading group dwindled. Marta Pintanel y Miriam Casillas They withstood the increased difficulty of the race well and arrived at the final transition with real chances. Once on the run, Nina Eim He changed the pace early and selected the group that would play for the victory.

The German kept pace against Georgia Taylor-Brownwho tried to break away on the second lap. Even so, Nina Eim He held on and crossed the finish line in first position with a time of 1:02:14. Georgia Taylor-Brown It was second and Laura Lindemann third. Marta Pintanel She finished fourth, just 20 seconds behind the winner, while Miriam Casillas she finished eighth and Noelia Juan She made a good comeback to finish twelfth.

David cantero He won even with a penalty

The men's race produced one of the most striking moments of the day. David canteroThe 2024 under-23 world champion emerged from the water well-positioned, although he was carrying a 10-second penalty that he had to serve in the second transition. This forced the Valencian to swim with more intensity and carefully manage his energy.

There were no successful breakaways in the cycling leg. The peloton neutralized all attempts and arrived at T2 very compact. As soon as the run began, the Spanish riders Roberto Sánchez Mantecón y Pelayo Gonzalez They made themselves visible in front, but soon appeared David cantero with a change of pace that broke the group.

The Spaniard opened up a gap, served his penalty, and then rejoined the fight for the win. That's when the German appeared. Tim hellwigwho faced the final 2,5 kilometers with a slight advantage. But David cantero It didn't break down. It chipped away meter by meter until it reached Hellwig in the final stretch and overtake him in a sprint of tremendous composure to win with a time of 54:45.

The Moroccan Jawad abdelmoula completed the podium. The Spanish performance also left a good impression. Izan Edoseventh; Roberto Sánchez, ninth; Antonio Serrateleventh; and Pelayo Gonzalezthirteenth.

Highlighted results

Women

Men

What does this career leave behind?

The victory of David cantero It's not just a prestigious victory at home. It also reinforces his role as one of the Spanish names to watch in 2026. On the women's side, Marta Pintanel He confirmed that he can compete with top-level athletes in international competitions of this caliber.

In summary, Lanzarote provides a first clear picture of the course: Spain starts with a presence, Performance and arguments to look ambitiously towards the new international cycle. The full results can be found on the official website of World triathlon.