Fernando Alarza
Spanish athletes delighted the home crowd at Banyoles as they claimed four out of six podium places at the ITU Premium European Cup race.
Fernando Alarza maintained his brilliant start to 2013, as he secured his second European Cup victory of the season in the Elite Men’s race. It came down to the final run as five athletes remained in contention approaching the final laps, but Alarza’s pace saw him streak ahead for gold.
A group of five were matching each other stride for stride in the opening exchanges of the run but Alraza made his break on the second lap.
Frenchman Aurelien Lebrun finished behind Alarza for only his second ever podium in an European race and Vicente Hernandez cemented Spanish success with a bronze medal, mirroring Alarza’s finishes following his third place in Quarteira.
In the Women’s race, Agnieszka Jerzyk (POL)got her 2013 season off to the perfect start with victory. This was Jerzyk’s first International race of the year and she put in a fantastic display to win her first European Cup since 2011 in Karlovy Vary.
On the final lap she trailed Spanish duo Murua and Garrido but she found her rhythm and purposely strode to victory in the final stages.
Spain’s success continued with Ainhoa Murua and Tamara Gomez Garrido claiming the remaining podium positions to bring their medal total to four. Garrido will be particularly pleased as this is her first career podium.
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