By Kent Gray/Triathlon.kiwi
Eva Goodisson is confident a return to something approaching her running form of old is close after starting her European campaign with a confidence boosting top 10 in Turkey.
The Gold Coast-based Kiwi was 8th at European Triathlon Cup Istanbul early Sunday NZT after another typically strong swim-bike before fading with a 38:40 10km split.
Running was Goodisson’s trump card before a neural back injury severely hampered her steady progression at the top level, highlighted by 7th place at World Cup Miyazaki in October 2022.
The 25-year-old has worked tirelessly since to regain that leg speed. It’s included a move to Queensland to take advantage of the perfect winter training environment on the Gold Coast.
German Tanja Neubert won the standard distance race in Istanbul with a 35:29 10km time, emphasising the ground Goodisson has to make up.
But she saw enough on the Gold Coast to feel confident a corner has been turned. Next weekend’s World Cup Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic is an immediate chance to prove just that.
“The run [in Istanbul] was another step forward but not quite what training has indicated,” Goodisson told Triathlon.kiwi.
“A hard 40k ride had my legs well spent so I’m still looking for a stronger run. I know it’s in there. Two back-to-back, hard standards is a big ask but I’m here for it!
“Overall happy with 8th. My Swim was solid with second out the water and we had a small [four woman] breakaway with a 30 sec gap. Unfortunately, the Germans [Neubert and second-placed Selina Klamt] reeled us in after 10k [on the bike],”
Goodisson is scheduled to spend two months racing and training in Europe, including three weeks in Banyoles. She’ll also race the French Grand Prix final, World Cup Rome (Oct. 5-6) and, hopefully, the World Triathlon Finals in Torremolinos-Andalucia (Oct. 17-20) before finishing with World Cup Tongyeong (Oct. 26) in South Korea on the way home.
“It’s hectic but the hard yards have been done back in Australia,” Goodisson said.
“Training in the GC has been great. I’m loving the training environment and people and have settled into a solid routine. I’ve got big goals for the next two months and I’ve really been enjoying training with new people and new challenges and hoping it can pay off over here.”
