Sara Pérez sweeps the Samarkand 2025 Challenge
Spain's Sara Pérez Sala achieved an undeniable victory this Sunday in the Challenge Samarkand 2025 , an international middle-distance race held in Uzbekistan.
The Catalan triathlete dominated the competition from start to finish and earned her first individual victory of the year.
A swim that made a difference
From the start, Pérez Sala asserted her strength in the water. She exited the 1.900 meters with more than a minute's lead over Britain's Chloe Sparrow and more than two minutes over Anna Bergsten , allowing her to tackle the bike leg alone and with a comfortable margin.
Demanding cycling due to wind
In the 90-kilometer cycling leg, characterized by flat sections and constant wind, the Spaniard extended her lead to more than six minutes over Sparrow. Behind them, New Zealander Amelia Watkinson and Bergsten were trying to maintain their podium hopes.
A foot race of tactical management
The half marathon was the toughest segment for the Catalan, who suffered in the heat and had to make a brief pit stop. Even so, she managed to gain the advantage, crossing the finish line in 4:05:34. Watkinson finished second (4:07:12) and Bergsten third (4:10:38), after Sparrow withdrew.
Draper wins the men's event
In the elite men's race, Briton Will Draper took the victory with a time of 3:40:41 after coming from behind on the bike and beating his compatriot Max Stapley in the final sprint . Serbian Ognjen Stojanovic completed the podium.
