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| 22 May 2008 | ||
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 Tim Don fought off tough competition from Beijing bound New Zealander, Kris Gemmel, to win the Corus Elite Series triathlon at GreenPark, Reading on Sunday 18 May, before heading out to the final Olympic qualifier World Cup race in Madrid next week. The 750m swim was led out by Surrey's Richard Stannard, but his breakaway attempts were foiled when Tim Don pulled the chasing pack up to his him on the bike. European junior bronze medalist and Corus Ambassador Jonathan Brownlee tried to surge away ahead of the second transition, but was unable to get clear. Once on the 5km run Don and New Zealander Kris Gemmell hit the front with Stannard back in third. Having tussled throughout the race it was inevitable that the battle would come down to a sprint finish which Don narrowly won, just crossing the line ahead of his rival. Don commented: "It was a really exciting race with plenty of attacking on the swim and the bike and the final head to head with Kris [Gemmell] was touch and go. The home supporters were great and I just tried to absorb all their energy for the sprint finish. I'm going to Madrid next week with the aim of making the Great Britain team and today's race shows me I'm in the right sort of shape to do that." In the women’s race, rising young Scottish star Kirsty McWilliam, 18, raced to victory against a world-class international field at the British Sprint Championships in the Corus Elite Series triathlon at GreenPark, Reading today. Abbie Thorrington led the field out of the 750m swim leg, closely followed by Jess Towl, Heather Jackson and McWilliam. European Under 23 Champion and Corus Ambassador Rosie Clarke and along with London Triathlon winner Andrea Whitcombe sat in the second chase pack. McWilliam transitioned in to the run leg 30 seconds ahead of Thorrington with the chasing athletes another minute back. However, Thorrington dropped out on the run with cramp leaving McWilliam unchallenged for the win, with Whitcombe running through for second. Heather Jackson held off Rosie Clarke for the final podium position. McWilliam, who finished second at the European Junior Championships last weekend in Lisbon, said on her win: "It's fantastic to finally win a race having finished second and third in recent competitions. To win my first British elite title is a great feeling and I'm looking forward to racing in the World Championships next month." Corus Elite Series Reading Men's Results:1. Tim Don, England Corus Elite Series Reading Women's Results:1 Kirsty McWilliam, Scotland
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