For her first visit to Alpe d'Huez, Daniela Ryf did not disappoint! The four-time Ironman World Champion Swiss triathlete won with authority the Triathlon L (2.2-118-20). In the men's category, the Frenchman Romain Guillaume made the difference on the bike to take the victory.
That was the main question of the day. With a female start scheduled 15 minutes before the men, would Daniela Ryf be caught by her male counterparts? What would be the result in the overall ranking? The final scenario did not disappoint! It took until the start of the 21 Alpe d'Huez bends for the man at the top of the men's race, Romain Guillaume, to join the top favourite. But it was without counting on the panache of the star who overtook the Jura triathlete in the last bends of the ascent to drop her bike first in the transition area! This was followed by a battle between the two leaders, with the triumphant arrival of the champion as the final outcome.
For second place, Carrie Lester (Aus) made her experience stand out by delivering a race all in control. She crossed the line with a comfortable lead over the Belgian Alexandra Tondeur. In the men's race, the unfortunate Albert Moreno took second place on the podium for the third time, two minutes ahead of the Belgian Kenneth Vandendriessche, who had a magnificent comeback throughout the race.
MALE PRO:
1 Romain Guillaume FRA 6:02:52
2 Albert Moreno ESP +6:50
3 Kenneth Vandendriessche BEL +8:43
FEMALE PRO:
1 Daniela Ryf CHE 6:15:57
2 Carrie Lester AUS +28:18
3 Alexandra Tondeur BEL +41:35