The ITU European Cup Grand Final lived up to its billing as Yegor Martynenko and Rachel Klamer claimed end of season glory in Alanya.

These results also carried extra significance for both athletes. The success of Martynenko (UKR) is extraordinary following his European Cup victory in Eilat just four days earlier. And Klamer (NED) made history by winning in Alanya for the third consecutive year.

EUROPEAN CUP REVIEW – ELITE MEN

The start list for the Elite Men’s races included a number of athletes who competed in Eilat the previous weekend and questions over fitness and fatigue were undoubtedly raised with such a short turnaround time.

First out of the water was Ivan Vasiliev (RUS) who had managed to establish a bit of a gap at the front ahead of Shaw (FRA) and Malyshev (RUS) with Sapunov (UKR) lurking dangerously.

Vasiliev continued to dominate at the front during the bike run and the front pack emerged into a battle between Russia and Ukraine with six athletes in contention from these countries.

As in Eilat previously, Martynenko excelled on the run, posting the fastest split time of the day to secure an incredible double success. Two European Cup wins in four days, making it three for Martynenko in 2011.

He was pushed all the way by the Russians with Anatoly Fedotov finishing just four second behind in second place. Early front runner Ivan Vasiliev managed to hold on for a podium place and secure the bronze medal.
 

EUROPEAN CUP REVIEW - ELITE WOMEN

A cagey opening swim in the Women’s race saw around eight athletes exit the water together. Irina Abysova (RUS) had managed to create a gap of a couple of seconds but Rachel Klamer (NED), Yuliya Yelistratova (UKR), Daniela Chmet (ITA) and Natalia Shliakhtenko (UKR) remained close and stuck together.

Nobody made a break on the bike with the forward pack remaining close together and it remained nip and tuck round the cycle course. Klamer herself dropped a couple of positions but she emerged from T2 in second place with Yelistratova in front and Abysova behind.

But a supreme run from the Dutch athlete allowed her to accelerate away from the pack and secure her hat-trick of victories in Alanya. Klamer posted the joint best split time of the race and crossed the finish line with a comfortable lead over the field.

On the run the field became fragmented and it was Irina Abysova who crossed the line in second place with her own advantage over Yelistratova who claimed third.

Photos courtesy of O.OZDEMIR