Belgium’s Arnaud Mengal has just taken his maiden World Triathlon Cup victory in Rome – the biggest win of his career to date, marking the first time he has triumphed on this stage.
The race began with Norway’s Vetle Bergsvik Thorn leading out of the water, but despite the long line of athletes strung out behind him, most of the top contenders stayed close together. Once on the bike, a large peloton quickly formed – nearly forty athletes strong – and this front group remained intact all the way to T2. Their lead over the chasers had grown so substantial that it was clear the podium battle would come from within this pack.
Spain’s Antonio Serrat Seoane launched the first attack on the run, but his move was short-lived. Soon, a lead group of around ten athletes emerged, gradually thinning as the pace intensified. It wasn’t until the final 500 meters that Mengal made his decisive move – an explosive surge that saw him glancing over his shoulder a few times before digging deep in a furious sprint to the line. He secured the win in 54:05, holding off Spain’s Izan Edo Aguilar, who finished in the same time, while France’s Nathan Grayel took third, just one second behind.