Stimpson claims first victory

Manama : Great Britain’s Jodie Stimpson claimed her first World Triathlon Series victory since 2014 by winning the first race of the season at the 2016 ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi.

After pushing through a long swim, a tough bike and an even tougher run, Stimpson broke away from a small four-man pack in the final lap of the race to reclaim her rights to a WTS gold medal. Showcasing an amazing come-from-behind performance, Australia’s Ashleigh Gentle earned the silver medal, while Stimpson’s British compatriot Helen Jenkins took the bronze.

“This winter I could not say that it could have gone any better. My training group has been highly motivated because none of us have made our Olympic spots yet. Me and Helen Jenkins are great rivals and she is a fantastic athlete and I have so much respect for her. As soon as I crossed the line I went to her and thought we could not make it any harder for them really, but we are both in the same boat and it will be whoever has the best race in Gold Coast. It will be the best woman who wins and if Helen beats me in Gold Coast, she deserves to go,” said Stimpson on her win and her road to still qualify for the Rio Olympic Games this summer.

The perfect setting found the women with warm temperatures and no-wetsuit needed water conditions. With a long 1000-metre first lap, of the two lap swim, the field saw the women spread out into three different groups with Carolina Routier of Spain and Pamella Oliveria of Brazil leading in its entirety.

As they made their way out of the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club and into the first WTS transition zone of the season, Sarah True of the US was third out of the water and helped assemble an 11-strong pack to begin the first few kilometres on the first bike lap that would last for 13-kilometres total and then shorten to six laps of 4.5 kilometres. The leaders quickly amassed to 25 as Stimpson pushed her pack to merge with the front runners.