Collin Chartier just took the day during Challenge Salou, which turned into a duathlon given the extreme weather conditions. The American was already right in the mix during the bike part, but he killed it with a strong run. Dutch’ Jorik van Egdom ran to a second place (+2:29), while America’s Robbie Deckard completed the podium (+4:56).
Due to strong winds and big waves, the race turned into a duathlon over a distance of 5-90-21.1 km. Van Egdom seemed to have no problem with that, as he was the first to reach T1 after 13:57 minutes. Chartier and New Zealand’s Kyle Smith were right behind him, though. Germany’s Frederic Funk reached his bike in twelfth place, 27 seconds behind Van Egdom.
Once in the saddle, it was clear that Funk had his sights set on the lead. He pushed the pace and started the chase. About halfway through the bike, he succeeded at that. Smith and Chartier were respecitvely in second and third place, one minute and 1:30 minute behind him. A big group of eight men enjoyed each other’s company a few minutes behind Funk.
With a sub-two hour bike time, Funk was first to rack his bike back in T2. Chartier followed three minutes later in second, and Chartier was in third place (+4:07). The group – with among others Van Egdom and Deckard – entered T2 with a five-minute deficit to Funk.
On the run, Van Egdom started his attack again. He quickly moved up in the ranking, while Funk suffered in front and was dropped out of the top three. Chartier was running strong. The American moved to the front, as Van Egdom settled in second place. Deckard ran into third place about halfway through the run.
These podium positions didn’t change anymore. Chartier ran to a big win, Van Egdom maintained his second place and Deckard claimed the bronze medal.
