By Hans Cleemput

Superman Jetze Plat crushes competition in PT1

Handbiker Jetze Plat from the Netherlands has only recently discovered triathlon, but has made quite a name in the sport already. In Kitzbühel „Superman” Plat crushed the competition on the bike course. He finished in an incredible time of 59’48. More than 6 minutes later Phill Hogg and Joe Townsend took silver and bronze for Team GB. Plat seems ready to qualify for Rio. 'Well, my priorities are still with my favourite sport, handbiking. But I love triathlon and I am considering aiming for the paratriathlon in Rio as well. I am happy with my first European gold.”

In the women’s race Karen Darke did not expect to win, saying 'But I loved the climbs here, although I did not expect to go this fast. It’s great to win the gold here”. Her British team mate Jane Egan won silver. Rita Cuccuru from Italy came in third.

Oliver Dreier pleases the homecrowd in PT2

Austrian Oliver Dreier took the top spot in PT2 in a tight battle with Vasily Egorov (RUS) and Michele Ferrarin (ITA). The Italian came off the bike in first place with a lead of 1’25. Dreier, French athlete Stephane Bahier and Egorov were close together in T2. Dreier had a fast run and won the gold medal. Ferrarin was aiming for silver but saw Vasily overtaking him in the final kilometer of the run.

In the women’s race Germany’s Nora Hansel took the win by surprise. She didn't know she was in 1st place until she crossed the finish line. Veronika Gabitova took the silver medal for Russia.

Alessio Borgato and Saskia Van Den Ouden are PT3 champions

Saskia Van Den Ouden led from start to finish in PT3. The Dutch paratriathlete was thrilled with her European title. Sarah Pearson for Team GB finished 2nd.

Although he was trailing Daniel Molina from Spain by more than 4 minutes after the swim, Italian Alessio Borgato quickly took the top spot in the PT3 race. He opened up a big gap on the bike course and ran home to gold in 49’23. Daniel Molina took the silver medal. Bronze went to Team GB’s Russell White.

Martin Schulz outsprints Yannick Bourseaux in PT4

Race favorite Lauren Steadman and Faye Mcclelland won the gold & silver medals for Team GB. They were hoping for a clean sweep with Clare Cunningham aiming for bronze, but it was Italy’s Irene Riviera who overtook Clare in the final lap of the run, finishing in 3rd place.

The men’s race was the most exciting of them all with Martin Schulz for Germany and Yannick Bourseaux for France coming into T2 together. The two paratriathletes stuck together until the finish chute. Martin Schulz was the fastest in the sprint and was delighted to win the gold medal. Yannick Bourseaux took silver and is already looking forward. 'Martin was too strong in the final meters, so I am happy with silver, but I am looking forward to a big revanche in Edmonton.”

Susana Rodriguez holds off Melissa Reid in PT5

Chris Goodwin and Dave Ellis were awarded another pair of gold and silver medals for Team GB. Serbia’s Lazar Filipovic looked to be going for bronze halfway through the run, but he had to be satisfied with a 5th place finish. Ukraine’s Vasyl Rakrevskyi (3rd) and Alen Kobilica (Slovenia) overtook him in the final run lap.

In the women’s race Susana Rodriguez from Spain had a tight battle with Great Britain’s Melissa Reid. The Team GB paratriathlete almost closed the gap halfway through the run, but Rodriguez maintained a lead of only 20” to claim the European title. Reid took silver. And Alison Patrick won the bronze medal for Great Britain.

Full results can be found here

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