Images: European Triathlon
By Kent Gray/Triathlon.kiwi
Brea Roderick has started her European summer with a satisfying 5th at European Triathlon Cup Kitzbühel.
The Christchurch 22-year-old comfortably qualified for the final at the Austrian super sprint eliminator with second place in semifinal two behind German Anabel Knoll before finishing behind Tanja Neubert (GER), Rebecca Beti (SUI), Knoll and Canadian Desirae Ridenour in the final.
Kiwi team-mate Hannah Howell, 22, was narrowly ousted from the same semifinal/heat as Roderick, finishing 17th in 38:11, a mere 11 seconds behind last qualifier Finja Schierl (GER).
Ivan Abele was eliminated in semifinal 1 of the men’s competition after finishing 23rd of 24 in 36:35, more than four minutes behind heat winner Alex Yee (GBR) who would go on to capture the overall title from Euan De Nigro (ITA) and Brayden Mercer (AUS).
Roderick’s performance continued a run of improving form for the 2023 Tri NZ U23 Female Triathlete of the Year, marked by her 2nd place finish (and U23 title) at the Oceania Sprint Championships in Tasmania in mid-March.
“I’m happy with how the racing went in both the heats and the finals and it is a really positive start for the season ahead,” Roderick told Triathlon.kiwi.
“In the heats I had a great swim and led out of the water with a small gap and managed to get in a two person breakaway with one of the German girls which set us up well.
“I had another good swim in the finals coming out of the water 5th. I then tried my best to stay safe and out of trouble on the bike by being near the front and finished it off with a solid run to get 5th overall.
“It was some super-fast and close racing but a perfect way to start the Euro campaign.”
Roderick will remain in Austria for this weekend’s European Triathlon Cup Wels Austria.
