Kiwi man struggle to stay with quick Russians

The New Zealand men failed to take inspiration from Kate McIlroy’s earlier efforts in winning her first ever ITU World Cup Triathlon with a largely disappointing showing at Tiszaujvaros in Hungary this morning New Zealand time.

With the entire New Zealand contingent from the Tri NZ 2012 Potential Squad, the team of six lost any hope of applying team tactics when they were effectively split after the swim, with only Graham O’Grady (Hamilton) making the lead group early on the bike.

Martin van Barneveld (Wellington) did however join the leaders late on the bike as the chase pack worked hard to bring back the Russian dominated lead group before the 10km run.

But once out on the run the event was dominated by the impressive Russian team, with top seeded Dmitry Polyansky and Alexander Brukhankov setting a pace that no one else could follow, including the Kiwis.

Van Barneveld proved the best of the Kiwis, coming home in 12th place 41 seconds off the podium, while O’Grady faded to finish 24th. James Elvery ran quickest of the rest of the New Zealanders but was too far back off the bike and had to settle for 27th place.

Tony Dodds (Wanaka) was 31st, Ryan Sissons (Auckland) 33rd and Callum Millward (Hawkes Bay) 59th.

Polyansky held off his countryman Brukhankov to win the event, with Russia completing a clean sweep of the podium and filling four of the top five places in a dominant showing a week out from the next round of the ITU World Championship Series in London.

ITU Triathlon World Cup

Tiszaujvaros, Hungary

Elite Men

Gold Dmitry Polyansky RUS 1:48:45

Silver Alexander Brukhankov RUS 1:48:54

Bronze Ivan Tutukin RUS 1:49:49

4 Gregory Rouault FRA 1:49:55

5 Vladimir Turbaevskiy RUS 1:50:03

Plus NZers

12 Martin van Barneveld NZL 1:50:30

24 Graham O’Grady NZL 1:51:41

27 James Elvery NZL 1:51:52

31 Tony Dodds NZL 1:52:09

33 Ryan Sissons NZL 1:52:14

59 Callum Millward NZL 1:54:10