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| 27 May 2007 | |
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 Britain’s top triathletes completed a double victory against a world-class international field at the Corus Elite Series at Strathclyde Country Park, Glasgow today. Under 23 World and European Champion Will Clarke took the top podium finish in the men’s elite, while rising star Holly Avil claimed victory in the women’s elite race. The event also gave both triathletes the Men’s and Women’s National Sprint Championship titles. Scottish triathlete Blair Cartmell emerged first from the swim, with the 62 strong starters 10 seconds behind. During the bike leg, Londoner Stuart Hayes made a break from the large pack and went in to the run transition with a 25 second lead. Clarke and World Junior Champion Alistair Brownlee caught up to Hayes and the three Brits ran together to a sprint finish, with Cambridge’s Clarke stretching away from Hayes to win by 5 metres. Will's comment on his victory: ‘The swim was tough, but the run was great – the closed roads made it easier. I’m looking forward to a World Cup race in Madrid, followed by the next Corus Elite race in Wales.’ Northampton’s Avil was in the lead pack for the entire race. Welsh athlete Carol Bridge led the field from the swim leg, closely followed by Avil, Swede Lisa Norden and rising Scottish star and crowd favourite Kirsty McWilliam. Fellow Glaswegian and experienced senior Kerry Lang completed the leading athletes. Race favourites Michelle Dillon and Andrea Whitecombe made up the second chase pack. The front group stretched to a 70 second lead for most of the two lap bike leg. Transitioning in to the run leg, Norden, Avil and McWilliam led, with Lang 15 seconds behind. Avil broke away from Norden and McWilliam with 100m from the finish line. Dillon chased down the leaders to pip Lang to take fourth position. Avil’s response to the win: ‘I was shocked but very pleased with my win. It was a tough race, but it was great to win against a distinguished field, such as Dillon and Whitecombe.’ Men’s Elite Race Results 1st – Will Clarke (England) 2nd – Stuart Hayes (England) 3rd – Alistair Brownlee (England) 4th - Olly Freeman (England) 5th - Fraser Cartmell (Scotland)
Women’s Elite Race Results 1st – Hollie Avil (England) 2nd – Lisa Norden (Sweden) 3rd – Kirsty McWilliam (Scotland) 4th – Michelle Dillon (England) 5th – Kerry Lang (Scotland)
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