Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

Triathlon: Hat-trick for Stimpson in British Triathlon Super Series

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Parent Category: Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

Category: News Cycling Pro Road & Mtb 2011

Published on Monday, 01 August 2011 17:13

Written by Luca Salvatelli

Jodie Stimpson has won the British Triathlon Super Series title for the third year in a row, after victory at the Virgin Active London Triathlon on Sunday 31 July propelled her to the top of the standings.

It was Stimpson, Liz Blatchford and Abbie Thorrington who exerted pressure on the field from the outset, establishing a healthy gap with a lead of almost two minutes on the rest of the field entering T2.

It was on the run where Stimpson pulled away – completing the final stage in 00.35.12 – and crossing the line with a comfortable lead of more than 90 seconds. Stimpson finished in 01:56.48, with Liz Blatchford (01:58.13) and Lois Rosindale (02:00.01) joining her on the podium.

Overall, in the British Triathlon Super Series, the victory for Stimpson gave her a 20-point advantage over Lucy Hall, with Heather Jackson finishing in third, after a top ten performance in London.

After the race, Stimpson said: “I’ve been a lot more consistent this season, working really hard on several things with [coach] Michelle [Dillon]. I’m delighted to take my first victory of the season. Hopefully I’ll get some more before the year is out.”

Commenting on her Super Series victory, she added: “It was a total shock to be able to win the Super Series again, it was the icing on the cake yesterday – a great day.”

In the men’s elite race, a strong run from Ritchie Nicholls saw the Scotsman over the line first in a time of 01:45.09, ahead of Adam Bowden (01:46.09) and Matt Sharp (01:46.18).

Nicholls aged 24, completed the 1,500m swim in 00:19.22, then followed with a solid ride of 00:53.24 – but still faced a 25-second deficit on leaders Richard Stannard and Connor Murphy exiting T2.

However, Nicholls chased down the leaders before opening up a comfortable gap to finish 32 seconds ahead of Bowden.

Nicholls said: “It feels like a breakthrough performance. I had some really good races a few years ago, but since then I’ve struggled to get back. Hopefully this is a new start.

"Things have been a bit on and off with illnesses. I was actually sick on Friday so I wasn’t going to come down here. I’m glad I did now."

Nicholls’ victory meant the British Triathlon Super Series title went to Aaron Harris who wasn’t racing in London, instead finishing third in the 2011 Banyoles ITU Triathlon Premium European Cup – an excellent result.

Bowden’s second placed finish ensured a rapid rise up the standings to claim the third spot on the Super Series podium, with Matt Sharp maintaining his consistent form this season ensuring his second placed position overall.

More than 60 athletes took part in the elite races – in addition to the 14,000 amateur competitors who travelled to London’s Docklands over the weekend.

The Wire star Dominic West and TV chef John-Christophe Novelli were part of the field on Sunday – following in the footsteps of Sir Richard Branson, Melanie C, Stacey Solomon and Ortise Williams, who all took part on Saturday.

Sir Richard said: “It’s an absolutely fantastic Virgin Active London Triathlon, and we expect to see everyone take part again next year.”