Jodie Stimpson Takes First WTS Title Of 2014

Great Britain’s Jodie Stimpson produced the perfect start to her 2014 World Triathlon Series season, smashing her way to the 2014 Auckland title on the back of a bike breakaway followed by an even more impressive run.

Last year’s overall series silver medalist started the race with the No.1 and her smart decision-making means she will keep it heading into Cape Town. Stimpson was part of a breakaway led by New Zealand’s Nicky Samuels and Kate McIlroy that ended-up with a 35-second lead on the rest of the field leaving T2. And Stimpson didn’t let up from there, moving 10 seconds ahead of the Kiwi pair just 1.25km to record her second career WTS win in 2 hours 8 minutes and 34 seconds.

Stimpson said training with Samuels had given her an insight into how the race might play out, and she made a decision to go with her and McIlroy when they broke.

“I was lucky enough to do a few sessions with Nicky, so I knew how strong Kate was. And I saw Kate and Nicky and I knew that this was there selection race as well so I was like I can’t let those two go, I’m not going to ease up, I’ve got to get there and that was definitely the defining moment in the race,” she said.

“The first lap it was like the worst lap, it was really terrible, I thought god I hope my legs improve. That is definitely one of the toughest courses, I mean that’s what the Kiwis are known for, they are awesome riders and it was great to be in a breakaway with those girls today.”

Behind Stimpson, Germany’s Anne Haug kept up the excellent form she has enjoyed in Auckland. Previously undefeated, the pocket-rocket was one of the last out of the water but rode her way into the first chase across the 40km bike before pulling out another gear in the final two kilometers to claim silver. Great Britain’s Helen Jenkins marked her return to the series with an exclamation point, claiming a bronze medal in her first series race since 2012.

Read more: Triathlon.org

2014 World Triathlon Auckland – April 6
1.5km swim – 40km bike – 10km run
1. Jodie Stimpson GBR 02:08:34
2. Anne Haug GER 02:08:59
3. Helen Jenkins GBR 02:09:10
4. Sarah-Anne Brault CAN 02:09:15
5. Sarah Groff USA 02:09:20
6. Andrea Hewitt NZL 02:09:21
7. Emma Moffatt AUS 02:09:35
8. Barbara Riveros Diaz CHI 02:09:53
9. Alice Betto ITA 02:10:05
10. Rachel Klamer NED 02:10:22