Shachar Sagiv wins first World Cup with brilliant solo show in Huatulco

In 15 years of racing in the Mexican beach town, a Huatulco breakaway has been a rarity. For Israel’s Shachar Sagiv, it was the key to his, and his country’s, first ever World Cup gold medal on Sunday morning.

A good swim and rapid transition set things up, but it was the raw power of the first kilometre on the bike that kept Sagiv clear of the pack and as conditions made things tough for the big group in chase, the gap grew and grew to what became a decisive margin. 

The battle to join him on the podium eventually boiled down to outstanding World Cup debut podiums for both Cuba’s Alejandro Rodriguez in second and Kuba Gajda of Poland in third. 

'I cant believe it, I knew I was going to do something amazing out there. I found myself out by myself and thought i'd give it a go,' said Shachar Sagiv. 'I knew i'm in good shape and I wasn't afraid and that I had it in my legs. I hoped for a small breakaway but being by myself was even better. After Chengdu silver medal I knew I could go another step forward.'

At the end of the 750m swim it was race number one Diego Moya (CHI) leading the field up the beach towards transition, Badr Siwane (MAR) and Esteban Basanta (ESP) among those closest to the leader along with Sagiv. 

Trouble with securing the helmet for Moya then gave Sagiv a small window of opportunity, and as he pulled away at the start of the 20km bike, rather than seeing the Chilean with him, there was suddenly open road behind, and the Israeli took full advantage. 

A huge pack formed behind including strong riders like Philip Pertl (AUT) and Martin Sobey (CAN), but in wet conditions it was the solo rider that was able to keep the pace high and the breakaway intact. The gap went out to 20 seconds at halfway and had doubled by the bell, affording Sagiv close to a minute buffer as he set out onto the 5km run. 

Aram Penaflor (MEX) and Sebastian Pascal (ROU) looked to put down the hammer, but it was Alejandro Rodriguez and Kuba Gajda that would stay the pace, the Cuban laying down a 14m57s run to secure silver in his first ever World Cup, Gajda with bronze. 

Penaflor crossed in 4th, agonisingly close to a podium for the home fans to enjoy, Pascal, Basanta, Moya, Canada’s Liam Donnelly, Itamar Levanon (ISR) and Felix Duchampt (ROU) rounding out the top ten. 

'That was the toughest race of my career, on the run I was burning,' admitted Gajda. 'I knew I had to be focussed and not push too many watts on the bike so I felt pretty good on the run and I am very happy with my first World Cup medal. I didn't see (Sagiv) up the road so I was surprised to see him on the run, but very happy with that result.'

'I am very happy, we don't get a lot of elite opportunities in triathlon, and I want to get Cuba into the Olympic Games,' said Rodriguez. 'I want to thank the Cuban athletes I have followed before me, my coach, my family and girlfriend.'

Full results available here.