Caroline Pohle, Damien Le Mesnager Defy Heat and 48km/hr Winds to Win Challenge Gran Canaria

Challenge Gran Canaria brought all the emotion of a season opener after incredibly tough conditions pushed every athlete to the limit. As the traditional first half-distance race on the European calendar, the race always brings out a large pro field, not just for the opportunity to test their form early, but to race in summer weather in the beautiful Spanish Canary Islands. Even with competition from 70.3 Valencia, over 60 pro men and women took the start, but it was a teary-eyed Caroline Pohle and an exuberant (and empty) Damien Le Mesnager who took the top spots. 

How It Started

The race started with calm waters, seeing the swim specialists make the most of it. It was the young Italian, Michele Bortolamedi, who hit the beach at 21:55, with Pierre Dupuy (FRA) and Vicente Hernández Cabrera (ESP) hot on his heels. On the women’s side, Sarah-Jane Goodwin (RSA) was first out of the water in 24:45, kicking off her middle-distance debut with a 23-second gap on Pohle and even more on the main chase pack. 

The Decisive Bike

However, just like most years, race selections would happen on the bike course. Challenge Gran Canaria might be known for its holiday vibe, but it’s also known for its bike course. The four-lap coastal route is picturesque, twisting between jagged cliffs and the Atlantic ocean. But, with over 1000m of elevation and technical, fast descents to match, the route demands both high power and excellent skill. This year had the added gifts of 30 C (86 F) heat and wind gusts up to 48 km/hr (30 m/hr), which most likely contributed to the 12 pro men and four pro women who DNF’d. 

Swim leader Bortolamedi would maintain his lead until deep into the bike when Le Mesnager (FRA), making up his 3:35 deficit from the swim, capitalized on his former pro cycling experience to ride himself to the front. The two front men would collaborate to maintain their lead, making it a two horse race going into T2. Although Bortolamedi was first onto the equally technical mixed-terrain run course, once Le Mesnager took the lead, the race was his and marked his first professional victory. 

“It’s my first pro win in triathlon so it’s a crazy day,” Le Mesnager said, describing his day as “hard, nervous, and beautiful.” 

“ This race, I had a very bad swim and then after on the bike I had to push a lot to catch the first group. I took Michele at 70 km and we collaborated. After, on the run, it was just a battle of the man,” he said. “It was very hard with the humidity and the heat, but in the end it’s a good day.”

In the women’s race, Pohle rode into the lead quickly, and although she later commented that she had a “bad bike,” no one was able to catch her. Behind her, it was fan-favourite Nikki Bartlett (GBR) coming back after a long period of injury, and France’s Anne-Sophie Pierre–whose incredible bike handling was a sight to see–who rode up from tenth and twelfth into second and third, respectively. Pierre would clock the fastest bike split of the day, but it was not enough to put her in contention for the win. That honour went to Pohle, who grabbed her face in tears before the tape, in an emotional finish. 

“I am feeling very, very happy and proud of myself and of my team because last year was very hard,” Pohle shared, referencing illness and injury. “Today I think I showed I am capable of something great. I managed it very well because I had a very bad swim and a bad bike, but I found my running legs and I’m happy.”

Results

Challenge Gran Canaria–Top 5 Women

Challenge Gran Canaria–Top 5 Men

Tags: