He is a three-time World Triathlon Champion, and the smile on Mario Mola’s face on Saturday afternoon was just as broad as it was for his Gold Coast win back in 2018, on route to becoming Duathlon World Champion in Ibiza.
The pace was on from the very first paces of the opening 5km run, Mola pulling clear into transition and then biking solo for half the 20km bike before being caught by the large train that had formed behind. Multiple attacks were held at bay before a controlled 2.5km final effort to the tape, edging France’s former champions Benjamin Choquert and Krilan le Bihan into second and third.
“At the start of the season I thought I’d give the duathlon a shot, but these guys are unbelievable, so I am incredibly happy to be here and get the win in front of my home crowd,” said a smiling Mola. “I knew the course was one where people can see you from a long way away so to break is difficult, but I thought I’d give it a go and try to make it work. Arnaud came and wanted to push but I saw the French team were working well together and close. My experience in Caorle was that if you’re not in front out of T2 you are in trouble, so I made sure I was well placed.”
Favourites come clear of congestion
The 52 elite and 19 U23 athletes lined up at the start made for a congested opening 200m as they jostled for the early advantage heading into a flat and fast 5km out and back then around the sun-soaked Santa Eulalia Harbour.
James Teagle (GBR) was clearly eager for daylight up ahead, but it wasn’t long before Mola had picked his way to the front and began to set the pace for those around him, the field stringing out significantly so there were 30 seconds separating the top 10.
Mola solo effort ends
Another Brit, Hugo Milner was in hot pursuit along with Belgium’s Arnaud Dely and Valentin Andre of France, but Mola was sensing a big opportunity and set out alone to attack the first 6.5km bike loop.
Nathan Guerbeur was among those working to keep tabs on the flying Spaniard and the French were looking threatening as ever, but it was Dely who made the move to try and catch Mola as the halfway point approached.
There was little appetite to try and push on together though, and soon the packs merged into one, taking the final lap with just the occasional attack none of which came to anything meaningful.
Experience pays over final 2.5km
Into transition positioning was looking key, Erwin Vanderplanke (BEL) in and out first, Mola and Choquert close in with Samuele Angelini of Italy and Andre still looking dangerous.
It soon became a battle between the hugely experienced pair of Choquert and Mola to see who was able to hold off the other, and after a little cat and mouse a surge with 1km to go saw Mola clear. Choquert never let go but the elastic had gone and it was the local hero who coasted home to a hugely popular win, Choquert followed over the line by 2022 World Champion Krilan le Bihan, Arnaud Dely and Italy’s Riccardo Martellato rounding out the first five as the U23 World Champion. The men’s Junior title was won in dominant style by Spain’s Pelayo González Turrez.
“It was a strong race this year, the French, Belgians and Spanish all very strong, so it was good to have second and third,” said Le Bihan. “He was really fast in that first run, Choquert started the second one fast, but once Mario past through us it was really hard to stay with him!”
For the full results, click here.
