European Racing in Dublin

Well done to Piranha Triathlon Club and Triathlon Ireland for bringing European racing back to Ireland. The Junior European Cup was excellent viewing and seems to have been enjoyed by athletes. 

A home event gives an opportunity to enter all the local athletes on the radar of team management and there was a big number of Irish athletes in both mens and womens races. Clearly those with previous international experience had it for a reason and were to have an advantage over those in their first big event. There probably weren't many surprises in how they finished but some will rue missed opportunities or slow transitions. Mathys Bocquet had the best Irish result of the day with 5th in the men's race, while Saoirse O'Brien was best in the women's event in 9th.

The fastest runs on the day came from Camille Roman, Belgium, with 17.41 for the 5km, and Thibault Rivier, Switzerland, with a 15.10, both however coming from behind so not impacting the podiums with Roman coming through the field in the women's race to 6th. Ibe Baelde, Belgium, and Rivier demonstrated the fine margins in this type of racing coming out of the swim on the same time as athletes who made it to the front of the race to start the run, but finished 11th and 12th respectively with the 2 fastest runs in the men's race, after relatively poor T1 and first 2k on the bike.

Unfortunately only a few spectators ventured into the Phoenix Park or down to the exit gate to see any of the bike course. The chicane section in particular provided a visual indicator of how comfortable athletes were on the bike and how much work might be needed to progress on more technical circuits.

Hopefully this will be an ongoing event which can build on the acknowledged quality of the organisation, with a great venue and attract more athletes in the future. Triathlon Ireland has opened a bid process to find a partner to provide event management services for a 2024 event with a view to a long term arrangement. This comes on the back of seeking a promoter for a European paratriathlon event. All positive news for the sport.

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