Published May 1, 2011 09:07PM
Photo Gallery of the 2011 ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships.
Extremadura, Spain (27 April 2011) – Canadian Melanie McQuaid made an impressive ITU debut while South African Conrad Stoltz made a triumphant ITU return as both were crowned the first ITU Cross Triathlon World Champions today in Extremadura, Spain.
McQuaid overcame adversity when her bike was lost by an airline while traveling to Spain. She was forced to race on a borrowed bike for today’s championships but didn’t let that stop her from powering to her first ever ITU World Championship.
Stoltz, a double Olympian, was back on the ITU circuit for the first since the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. And the South African veteran ensured it was a dominating golden return.
In all, 25 women from 11 countries tackled the course, set at “The Ring”, an International Innovation Centre for outdoor sports in Extremadura.
McQuaid’s Canadian teammate Christine Jeffrey led the women after the 1km swim. But once on the 20km mountain bike course, McQuaid made her move and surged to the lead. Garrard followed in second place while Jeffrey dropped to third.
Off the bike and out onto the 6km cross-country run, McQuaid continued to lead the field. Behind her, Vanlandingham made up some ground and worked her way into the silver medal position with Garrard just behind her in third.
Even a 15-second penalty wasn’t enough to stall McQuaid in her unstoppable march to victory. The Canadian never looked back enroute to her first career ITU World Championship. American Shonny Vanlandingham was second across the line for silver. Teammate Emma Garrard took the bronze, completing a North American sweep of the women’s podium.
1km swim, 20km mountain bike, 6km cross-country run
Elite Women Results
Gold – Melanie McQuaid (CAN) 1:43:02
Silver – Shonny Vanlandingham (USA) 1:43:25
Bronze – Emma Garrard (USA) 1:43:43
The pre-race hype focused on an anticipated showdown between Stoltz and Spanish favourite Eneko Llanos. The pair owns a combined seven Xterra world titles between them.
But the battle never really materialized after Llanos crashed on the 20km mountain bike course and fell out of contention for the podium. He pushed on and finished the race in sixth place.
Meanwhile Stoltz was first onto the 6km cross-country run course. He stayed in front for good to break the tape at 1 hour, 26 minutes, 40 seconds to take the title of first ITU Cross Triathlon World Champion.
Stoltz dominated the field, winning by almost a full minute over Wealing who was second across the line to take silver. Triple Olympian Marceau rounded out the podium, finishing a further two minutes behind Wealing.
1km swim, 20km mountain bike, 6km cross-country run
Elite Men Results
Gold – Conrad Stoltz (RSA) 1:26:40
Silver – Seth Wealing (USA) 1:27:36
Bronze – Olivier Marceau (SUI) 1:29:43