Kanonýr prvního fotbalového víkendu v jarní části I. B třídy východ obléká dres harrachovského týmu. Ten jaro hraje na novém hřišti a je vidět, že domácím hodně svědčí. Dohrávku s Držkovem a první mistrák s Jablonečkem vyhráli a připsali si dvakrát tři body.

Velikonoce jsou tady, předpověď počasí vypadá dobře. Nalaďte se na pondělní „hodovačku“ naším víkendovým fotbalovým přehledem. Vyrazíte někam?  

The World Cup action travels this weekend to the north of France for the much awaited debut of Lievin in the World Triathlon circuit, with a fast and furious format that is set to delight athletes and spectators alike. get ready for the first-ever indoor World Cup, and there are some major names ready to go all-out in this brutal format.  Among the stars set to race indoors are Vincent Luis - winner here in 2022 - Georgia Taylor-Brown, Tim Hellwig, Gwen Jorgensen, Csongor Lehmann, Leonie Periault and Vetle Thorn all in the mix! Saturday is going to be jam-packed action, and you can watch the semi-finals and finals live on TriathlonLive.tv:

The format is simple: build a 25m pool inside an indoor track, and have the athletes swimming, biking in the outer lanes of the track and running on the inner lanes. Pack the venue with 2.500 spectators. Add live music, impressive sports presentations and…. voilà! You have all the ingredients for a perfect triathlon spectacle.

12 athletes line up on each race -6 heats for the men, 4 for the women, two repechages each, followed by three semi-finals for each gender and then the B final and A finals-. A 150m swim - 6 lengths of the pool with two athletes to a lane - is followed by a 15-lap, 3km bike and out onto the 5-lap, 1km run, with heats and repechage to decide the 36 athletes into three semi-finals per gender, the top four of each semi-final progressing into the final, the next four on the finish line of each semi-final into a B-final.

On the men’s race, top 4 on each of the six Qualifiers will make it straight to the semi-finals, with the rest going to the repechages. On the women’s race, the top six of each Qualifier will make it to the semi-finals, with the rest battling for the last spots on the two repechages scheduled.

Men’s line-up

It will be Germany’s top ranked athlete, Tim Hellwig, wearing the one in Lievin, and therefore has been placed on the first Qualifier, along with some other fast runners like Spain’s Genis Grau or France’s Paul Georgenthum. Grau is one to keep an eye on on this format. He finished in second place here in 2022, just behind Vincent Luis, and is known for his quick transitions and fast legs, which will definitely be an asset in Lievin.

The second Qualifier might be slightly easier for Csongor Lehmann (HUN), while the third one will see some athletes known to be fast and experienced in this fast and furious races like Sylvain Fridelance (SUI), Vetle Bergsvik Thorn (NOR), and Harry Leleu (GBR), who will be looking forward avoiding the repechages and saving legs for the last stages of the competition.

The fourth Qualifier will be one for the ages, with the likes of Hugo Milner (GBR), Casper Stornes (NOR), Esteban Basanta Fouz (ESP) and Sachar Sagiv (ISR) willing to prove that this format suits them great. After his incredible run last week in Quarteira -29.32, outrunning the likes of Vincent Luis-, Milner is ready to prove that he is not only a fast runner, but also one to be considered when it comes to super-sprint formats, similar distances as on a Mixed Relay.

On Qualifier 5, Samuel Dickinson (GBR) and Yanis Seguin (FRA) will be battling for the direct semi-final spots, with the Brit also wanting to show his skills on this format. But the eyes of the local crowd will be indeed fixed on the last Qualifier, with two-times World Champion Vincent Luis toeing the start line. The Frenchman returned to competition after an injury last weekend in Quarteira, where he proved to be in good form for Olympic distance races, but the Lievin format is one he also likes, having won here in the European Cup in 2022.

Women’s line-up

With only 40 women on the start list, the field has been divided into four Qualifier races, with the top six making it straight to the semi-finals and the rest of the athletes having one more chance on the repechage. USA’s Taylor Spivey was meant to wear the one on Lievin, but she had to pull out of the race due to sickness last minute, leaving Great Britain’s Georgia Taylor-Brown to lead the field. The Brit will not have an easy first round, with Gina Sereno (USA), the current Arena Games World Champion, and Leonie Periault (FRA) also on the second Qualifier, along with uber swimmer Zsanett Kuttor-Bragmayer (HUN) and Zuzana Michalickova (SVK), one of the Team World Triathlon athletes that is trying to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The first Qualifier will see some of the strongest athletes, with Jolien Vermeylen (BEL) ready to prove how fast her legs are, to continue to chase her Olympic dream. She will face two of the stronger French athletes, Sandra Dodet and Audrey Merle, both of them with previous podiums here in Lievin and also with multiple World Cup podiums on their careers.

Laura Lindemann (GER) will be leading the third qualifier, another race that is stacked, with Rio 2016 champion Gwen Jorgensen giving it a try to the fast and thrilling format, alongside with Rio 2016 bronze medallist Vicky Holland (GBR), also back to competition after having a child. Selina Klamt (GER) and Margaux Garabedian (CAM) should be included on the ones to watch on this race.

The last Qualifier will see three German athletes that have a great experience in the super-sprint format: Marlene Gomez-Goggle, Lena Meißner and Anabel Knoll, alongside with Cathia Schär (SUI) and Jessica Fullagar (GBR).

The Lievin Indoor World Cup will take place on Saturday, March 30, with the first Qualifier starting at 12.30. Semi-finals and finals will be avalable LIVE on TriathlonLIVE.tv from 19h local time. Check all the start lists HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Až z havajského Big Islandu přivezla svůj triumf nejlepší sportovkyně Prahy 14 za loňský rok. Vítězkou čtvrtého ročníku už tradiční ankety téměř šedesátitisícové části metropole se stala Bára Besperát. Na společenském večeru v KD Kyje za ni převzal cenu manžel Tomáš, protože ona už se připravuje na další sezonu na Mallorce, odkud poslala zdravici..

Volejbalisté Malé Skále odehráli poslední dvě kola druhé národní volejbalové ligy mužů letošní sezóny. Soupeřem jim byl celek ze Dvora Králové nad Labem. I když měli Maloskalští jistotu celkového prvního místa i tak o motivaci zakončit takto úspěšnou sezónu výhrami nebyla nouze. V očekávání byla pěkná podívaná, což potvrzovala i hojná účast diváků.

Mistrovské zápasy se rozjely také v I. B třídě východ. A někde už se hrálo konečně na přírodní trávě. Umělky už si týmy, díky dlouhé zimní přípravě, užily až až. Ale i na přírodní trávu bylo potřeba si zase zvyknout.

In the latest edition of the series tracking the journeys of athletes to the Paris Olympic Games, World Triathlon caught up with Nina Eim (GER) as she prepares to make her first Olympic appearance this summer.

Like almost every other elite triathlete, Eim’s attention was firmly on Paris. When we spoke, she was midway through a four week training camp in Namibia with almost the entire German squad. Yet unlike many of her rivals around the world, she finds herself in a unique position.

Germany is currently the only country to have allocated all of its female Olympic slots for triathlon in Paris. With six women currently in the top-30 of the Olympic Qualification rankings, securing a third female slot is a formality. Crucially for Eim, she is already one of the lucky three to have been selected.

She earned her place on the German Olympic team by finishing 6th at the Paris Test Event last season. However, her path onto the team has not always been smooth.

“I twisted my ankle at WTCS Cagliari,” explained Eim, “one day before the race. It happened at the swim familiarization as I practised the beach start.”

With a hurt ankle, Eim was not sure if she would tackle the WTCS race the next day, but elected to do so after being given the green-light by the team doctor.

“I was sure of doing the swim and the bike, and on the run I just wanted to see if I could run or not. During the race, the ankle wasn’t a big problem.”

In the end, Eim finished 9th in Cagliari, one place behind her German teammate, Lisa Tertsch.

After the race, though, an MRI scan revealed a small stress reaction in the bone. A five week break from running was therefore ordered. Yet even after the five weeks had elapsed, Eim could still not run due to lingering pain around the tendon.

“It was not a really good preparation before Paris,” she conceded. “I had pain when running and so didn’t do a lot of it.”

“Paris was actually my longest run! Two days before the race I ran 6km for the first time since Cagliari.”

Once the Test Event started, Eim put any thought of the injury out of mind. “In the race I am much more confident than before it starts.”

Once the swim and bike were safely navigated, all eyes turned to the run. While Laura Lindemann strode ahead as the leading German athlete and was in the fight for the medals (Lindemann ultimately finished 3rd), Eim found herself racing head-to-head with Tertsch once more. Whoever was the second German across the line inside the top-8 would secure the all-important Olympic slot alongside Lindemann.

An almighty battle followed but it was Eim that crossed first.

“I was really surprised that I ran so well,” confessed Eim. Having not run 10km in over two months, she summoned a final surge to pull away from her teammate. Separately, Tertsch went on to claim the third and final German slot at the WTCS Final in Pontevedra.

With Eim’s place on the team settled, she made sure to race through the autumn to lock in her place inside the top-30 of the Olympic Qualification rankings, the secondary requirement of the German Olympic selection policy.

Finishes of 2nd at the Valencia World Cup and 12th at WTCS Pontevedra followed. Then Eim won the Rome World Cup in a dazzling display. Having ensconced herself in the top-30 – Eim is currently ranked 12th – she ended her season early after Rome to prepare for 2024.

Now, her first outing of the Olympic year is around the corner.

Eim was originally slated to race at WTCS Abu Dhabi, however due to a minor muscular problem she opted to sit it out. “We decided we won’t take any risks before Paris.”

In place of Abu Dhabi, Eim will start her season elsewhere.

“I’m thinking of doing the World Cup in Lievin.” The French town will host an indoor World Cup, the first of its kind. As it happens, Eim won the Europe Cup version of the same event in 2022. A repeat victory could be on the cards, then, should she return.

“I would like to do it again,” said Eim. “It’s really special for triathlon.”

In April, another training camp in Mallorca will follow and then she will return to the WTCS, with Cagliari fixed in her diary. This time, though, she might just skip the swim familiarization.
With a knowing laugh, she added, “I will just run into the water on race day and not before!”

From qualification, to preparation and even medal hopes, Eim’s road to the Olympics is starting to take shape. In many respects, 2023 was her best season yet. She finished 9th overall in the WTCS, logged her highest ever WTCS finish with her 6th place in Paris and won a World Cup for the first time.

Throw in her field-leading run split at WTCS Yokohama and it soon becomes clear that the German athlete is a rising force. If all goes to plan, she is primed for an even better year yet on her path to Paris.

Druhý zápas fotbalové reprezentace pod vedením kouče Ivana Haška, druhý obrat. Češi v Praze na Letné proti Arménii brzy ztráceli, těsně před přestávkou ale srovnal hlavou Ladislav Krejčí a ve druhé půli vyšla trenérovi velmi dobře střídání. Debutant Matěj Jurásek svým centrem připravil pozici pro Tomáše Chorého, který dvanáct minut před koncem základní hrací doby stanovil konečné skóre na 2:1.

O víkendu nechyběli fotbaloví fanoušci na zápasech I. A třídy. Mšeno si zasloužilo přivézt z Pěnčína alespoň bod, to samé si přála také Bělá, ale doma podlehla Ruprechticím 0:1. Pět gólů nadělil Rychnov Semilům.

Hong Kong put on quite the show at the weekend as it hosted a World Triathlon Cup for the first time. Alberto Gonzalez Garcia (ESP) and Sian Rainsley (GBR) came out on top with virtuoso performances after both made the front pack breakaway and then out-duelled some formidable rivals on the run.

In addition to the action itself, the outcomes in Hong Kong have shaken up the Olympic Qualification rankings. Read on to find out the latest risers on the road to Paris.

The Men’s Olympic Rankings

As was the case at the first World Cup of the year in Napier, Gonzalez made one of the most significant jumps in the rankings. He upgraded his bronze medal in New Zealand to gold and thus climbed eight spots in the rankings. The Spanish athlete now finds himself in 28th place overall. Crucially, he is now the third highest ranked man from his country and he has certainly put himself in the frame for Olympic selection.

Gonzalez’s presence in the top-30 helps Spain towards its ambition of qualifying three men to Paris. The men’s silver medallist in Hong Kong, Antonio Serrat Seoane, has already qualified for the Spanish Olympic team and is the highest ranked Spanish man. He rose one place to 13th after his Hong Kong performance. Meanwhile, Roberto Sanchez Mantecon has maintained his spot in 20th place.

Furthermore, another Spanish athlete moved closer to the top-30 as David Castro Fajardo’s 11th place pushed him up four places to 31st overall. Castro will look to usurp Gonzalez over the coming races and their internal race to Paris will likely form a fascinating sub-plot going forwards.

Luke Willian (AUS) cruised into 45th in the rankings after claiming an outstanding 4th place in Hong Kong. With only Matthew Hauser currently selected on the Australian Olympic triathlon team, Willian will hope his rise continues as he seeks to press his Paris case.

Elsewhere, Emil Holm (DEN) may have likewise taken a step closer to qualifying for the Olympic Games. He finished 13th in Hong Kong and as a result moved up four places in the rankings to 72nd. At this point in time, that looks like it could be enough to make it to Paris should Holm hold his position.

The Women’s Olympic Rankings

Perhaps the most noteworthy rise in the women’s Olympic Qualification rankings came from Elizabeth Bravo (ECU). She finished 4th in Hong Kong after reeling off a scintillating 5km run to slice through the field; her showing saw her gain eight places in the rankings. Now, the athlete from Ecuador stands in 48th place overall and seems a near-lock to qualify for Paris.

The women’s race winner, Rainsley, made one of the biggest raw improvements with regards to the Olympic rankings. Her win propelled her up twenty places to 86th. While it will have no real impact on Britain’s goal of qualifying three women to Paris, which is already essentially assured, the rise represented just desserts for a sterling display.

One move that deserves plenty of consideration is that of Zuzana Michalickova (SVK). The promising young star placed 8th in Hong Kong, thereby gaining eight spots in the Olympic rankings. She now finds herself ranked 68th and is ever so close to earning Olympic qualification. While the status quo will likely evolve over the coming weeks, a spot in the top-65 may just be enough for qualification. Michalickova, then, is extremely close to nailing down her ticket to Paris.

Finally, the performances of Ilaria Zane (ITA) once again warrant attention. As was the case after an impressive showing in Napier, her performance in Hong Kong saw her climb in the Olympic rankings. Her 5th place finish in the latter was an improvement of one place from that in the former. She therefore climbed two places in the Olympic rankings to 32nd overall.

With Verena Steinhauser and Bianca Seregni nestled inside the top-30, Zane’s form will likely determine whether three Italian women qualify for Paris. Based on her start to the season, few will bet against her rising further still.

Stay up to date with the latest in the races to the Olympic Games as well as all the upcoming action on TriathlonLive.tv and across World Triathlon social channels.

Monday 25 March signals triathlon’s first concrete qualification milestone on the path to Paris 2024, with the confirmation of nine teams going to the Games. Each of these National Federation is thus automatically guaranteed two men and two women for this year’s Olympics: a foregone conclusion for some, a sigh of relief for others.

The 2022 and 2023 Mixed Relay World Championships were the first auto-qualifiers. France, as host nation, was also guaranteed a team.

Deadline day rules state that the top six countries in the ranking will guarantee two men and two women for that particular National Olympic Committee, those places rolling down for those already qualified. As such, the following NINE teams will be on the start line on 5 August, to be joined by the TOP TWO from the Huatulco Mixed Relay Qualifier on 17 May, plus any remaining countries with 2 men and 2 women qualified through the individual ranking when that closes on 27 May.

ALREADY CONFIRMED:

TEAM FRANCE (HOSTS AND 2022 WORLD CHAMPIONS IN MONTREAL)
TEAM GREAT BRITAIN (SECOND TO FRANCE IN MONTREAL)
TEAM GERMANY (2023 WORLD CHAMPIONS)

CONFIRMED ON DEADLINE DAY:

TEAM NEW ZEALAND
TEAM AUSTRALIA
TEAM SWITZERLAND
TEAM USA
TEAM ITALY
TEAM PORTUGAL

The Teams that have already secured their spot will not be allowed to compete at the Huatulco Mixed Relay Olympic Qualifier. Behind them, there are still some big-name squads waiting in the wings. The likes of Spain, Canada, Belgium, Brazil are all likely to qualify at least the minimum two men and two women required to start on 5 August, while Teams South Africa, Japan, Austria, Mexico, Norway, Hungary, Netherlands and Denmark are among those for whom a podium in Huatulco could be the deciding factor.

Be sure to add 17 May, 7:15am local time (TBC) to your calendar as the chase to become only the second Olympic Triathlon Mixed Relay Champions heats up in Huatulco, full coverage on TriathlonLive.tv.

/FOTO, VIDEO/ První kolo krajského přeboru už některým týmům zvedlo bodové zisky za vítězství. Jiným prohra zkomplikovala pobyt v soutěži. Béčko Hamrů nemělo posily z A týmu, ale bod bralo (0:0). Lomnice na hřišti soupeře nastřílela Novému Boru sedm gólů (1:7). Plný bodový zisk si připsala také mužstva Železného Brodu, Sedmihorek a A týmu FC Pěnčín.

/FOTO, VIDEO/ Další domácí utkání divize C mělo být pro fanoušky A týmu Velkých Hamrů omluvou za první jarní zápas proti Kosmonosům (0:1). I když se Hamrovským příliš nepovedl první poločas, tři body pro své příznivce za výhru 3:2 vybojovali.

There was no doubt who the first ever World Cup race in Hong Kong belonged to on Sunday morning, as Great Britain’s Sian Rainsley managed to hold off the American duo of Katie Zaferes and Kirsten Kasper to secure her first ever win at this level.

It had been a testing 750m swim in Victoria Harbour as the athletes battled around the buoy, leaving a seven-deep group out front that managed to keep clear of the chasers for the full 5 laps of the 20km bike. Out onto the run, it was only at the bell that that front three finally shook off those around her, before Rainsley produced the decisive move after over 2km of the lead chopping and changing to take the tape ahead of the 2019 World Champion Zaferes and Kasper.

“I didn’t race much last year, I was quite injured so just being back on the start line was exciting,” said a beaming Rainsley. “I felt a bit more relaxed because I thought, let’s just blow off the cobwebs. I’ve been training a lot with my partner Tom, who just podiumed at a 70.3 in Australia this morning, so it’s a good day for our household! I only just got on the front group, so was happy to make that and on the last run lap, I just sprinted as hard as I could and it paid off today.”

USA and GB dominate the swim

It was the familiar sight of GB’s Olivia Mathias and Sophie Alden leading the swim at the turn and making early headway with Kasper and Zaferes in pursuit. Race number one Summer Rappaport (USA) put in a surge to come alongside the leaders, and that added momentum stretched the field over the closing stages towards the pontoon.

The choppy water and long ramp made the exit tough, and it was up the steps into transition that Rappaport seemed to lose ground, the 40-second run to the bike racks shuffling the pack and Emma Jeffcoat (AUS) powered to the front with Spain’s Cecilia Santamaria Surroca.

Magnificent seven pull clear

With Rappaport stranded off the back along with Canada’s Sophia Howell, that front seven developed into a tightly-knit group, while further back it was Swiss Julie Derron and Austria’s Therese Feuersinger trying to close their gap to a group headed by Ilaria Zane (ITA) and Erika Ackerlund (USA) who were 20 seconds off the front.

The 2018 World Champion Vicky Holland (GBR) couldn’t get on to Derron’s wheel and slipped back to a third group with the likes of Tilda Mansson (SWE) and Yuka Sato (JPN), the Swiss soon on the front of that main chase group over lap two and looking to reel in the leaders.

Bravo on the hunt

The lead hit 30 seconds and there it remained until the very final stages of the last lap, Mathias, Alden and Jeffcoat fastest through transition and away first but weren’t allowed time to enjoy the moment, and it wasn’t long before the seven came back together.

Seven became four, two Americans and two Brits, as Santamaria and Jeffcoat were first to be dropped, then Alden was unable to keep the pace as Zaferes, Kasper, Rainsley and Mathias pushed on.

Further back, Bravo and Derron were going through the gears, Holland also flying through the field as was Denmark’s Alberte Kjaer Pedersen, but Mathias was suddenly 10 seconds off the front three and the medals looked all but decided.

Final push pays off

Kirsten Kasper pushed on the short downhill but there was no shaking her rivals, nothing between them with 500m to go, but it was then that Rainsley was able to summon the finish she needed, kicking clear and carving out daylight as the blue carpet neared, 6 seconds the winning margin as she soaked up the cheers. Zaferes took silver, bouncing back after a tough Continental Championships in Miami, Kasper back on the podium with bronze, Bravo running her way to fourth, Zane in fifth.

—
“The last race I did I didn’t finish and after a DNF it is always hard to put yourself in the right mental space for the next race,” admitted Zaferes. “I am really proud of myself for this race, it wasn’t an easy second, it was a hard-fought one. I am just really happy I strung together a decent swim, bike, run and transitions as well. The swim felt a little weird, but I just tried my best to stay relaxed, stay connected and take it piece by piece so that was a really big focus for this race, not to get too ahead of myself.”

“It’s great to be back on a podium, honestly I didn’t decide to do this race until two weeks ago so this is a great way to come to Hong Kong for the first time and get back on a podium,” said a satisfied Kasper. “This early in the season, I didn’t know where my run fitness was so that was a mental battle. I wanted to try and be strong and make sure I was on the podium, maybe even fight for the win. Those girls were strong together and got me today but I am just glad to be part of that podium. That was validation that what I did this winter paid off and I am grateful to my team for helping me figure out how to get back to the podium.”

Full results can be found here.

It was a day of firsts in Hong Kong. At the inaugural edition of the Hong Kong World Cup, Alberto Gonzalez Garcia (ESP) not only became the first male victor of the event on Sunday morning. He also claimed his first World Cup win, matching the achievement of Sian Rainsley in the women’s race.

In the opening salvo of the swim, much of the field drifted to the right, beyond the line of the first buoy. Several highly ranked men, including Kenji Nener (JPN) and Márk Dévay (HUN), had stationed themselves on the farthest right side on the pontoon and had to check back.

In the end, it proved of little consequence as Dévay was the first man out of the water. The Hungarian athlete clocked 9:15 for the choppy 750m. Diego Moya was next out while Nener and Darr Smith (USA) emerged afterwards in unison.

Exploiting the early break

Over the first of five rapid bike laps, a front pack of thirteen men came together. A pack of equal size hovered some 15 seconds behind. While Nener, Dévay and more set the tempo at the front, Kevin McDowell (USA) took up the challenge of reeling them in from the chase on his return to international racing.

Such was the pace, the second pack on the road fractured. One of the pre-race favourites, Lasse Nygaard Priester (GER), slipped back from the chase group into the clutches of the main pack. Janus Staufenberg was among those to take an eye-catching turn at the head of the large third group. 

The leaders, though, were 20 seconds to the good at the front and continued to push.

Nener rode like a man possessed as he sought a maiden World Cup medal, although threats such as Antonio Serrat Seoane (ESP) and Gonzalez lurked in the lead bunch. 

By the final lap of the bike, the leaders succeeded in breaking the will of the main chase group and extended their margin.

The pressure rises

After sterling work on the bike, Panagiotis Bitados (GRE) stormed through T2 to take the lead. Robin Elg (HKG) was quick to follow and gave a rapturous home crowd something to cheer. Having been omnipresent at the front, it was little surprise to see Nener also on hand.

Luke Willian (AUS) had the best T2 of the next group on the road. He faced a tall order in closing down the lead trio of Serrat, Nener and Gonzalez. On the first of the two run laps, Nener tested his Spanish rivals’ legs but they were equal to his efforts.

Prior to the race, Nener had detailed in his Paths to Paris interview how he had hoped to fight for the podium in Hong Kong and test himself in the heat of the moment. In Hong Kong, he did just that and forged onwards. Yet his rivals did not relent. Serrat made a dash off the front but Gonzalez closed the gap.

Gonzalez strikes

Having won a medal at the opening World Cup of the season in Napier, Gonzalez was in terrific form. In the final stages, he sensed an opportunity and pounced.

His move was decisive and carried him to the gold medal by 5 seconds. After the race, he heaped praise on his teammate, Serrat, as well as his fellow front pack riders.
“We were always in the front with the guys and on the bike and we collaborated really well and kept the gap,” said Gonzalez.

In a tense final sprint, Serrat held off Nener to seal the silver medal. As with Gonzalez, Serrat was effusive towards his compatriot.

“I tried to go really fast but then Alberto caught me and I knew his sprint was really good and I didn’t have any more today. I am happy for Alberto (Gonzalez Garcia), he’s a good friend and team mate and I am really happy for him.”

For Nener, it was perhaps not the final result he may have desired. Nevertheless, he came away with a first World Cup medal and having executed the race exactly as hoped. At the finish he confirmed that he was “thrilled”.

“Of course it wasn’t the smartest race nor was it tactical, especially in this heat,” he added. “But if I am going to race against the best in the world, the level is up and I am not going to be leading so I have to put myself out there and race aggressively.

Behind the medallists, Willian ripped the second fastest run of the day to rise to 4th place. In addition, David Cantero del Campo (ESP) made it three Spanish men in the top-5. Cantero had exited T2 in the main pack however he unleashed a field-leading 5km – indeed, he was the only man under 15 minutes – to nab 5th place.

View the full results here.

V dalším kole ČFL skupiny B se jablonecký tým představil doma. Na umělé trávě v Mozartovce přivítal soupeře z Mostu. Doma chtělo mužstvo zazářit. Ale tři body za prohru 1:3 si odvezli hosté.