[Credit – Europe Triathlon]

The second Portuguese European Cup of the year, two weeks post the Elite European Cup in Quarteira took place in Monte Gordo with elite men and women racing over the sprint distance last weekend.

Elite Women

In the elite women’s race an early group of 5 was away at the front on the bike including both Britain’s Katie Rodda and Eve Whitaker after both coming out the water in the top 5 and 6s back off the leader heading into T1. Behind Britain’s Millie Breese was in the slightly larger chase group at the start of the bike which grew soon after including more of the British women.

The front group maintained their lead into T2 over the flat 20k bike with a 30s advantage over the main group including most of the field.

The front group took advantage of their position with Hungary’s Fanni Szalai taking the win and Italy’s Carlotta Missaglia second. Eve Whitaker was the first Brit across the line claiming 3rd with Bethany Cook moving up from the main group to take 4th with a 16.41 5k and the fastest run split. Millie Breese was the third Brit in the top 10 crossing 7th.

British Elite Women:

• 3. Eve Whitaker
• 4. Bethany Cook
• 7. Millie Breese
• 12. Libby Coleman
• 31. Isabella Hayes
• 54. Lara Atkinson

See Full Elite Women’s Results here

Elite Men

In the elite men’s race similar to the women’s race a group of about 5 established an early gap after leading at the front of the swim but this time was caught in the first lap. Most of the field came together before the second lap of three to form a large front bike group, including all British men.

The entirely flat course lacking many technical aspects lent its way for no attacks and paved the way for a flat all to play for fast 5k run. Britain’s Solomon Okrafo-Smart and Jack Stanton-Stock led the way early into the run with a small group of 4 gaining a few metres lead. The gap was soon closed however and became less strung out initially with a bigger group running together as they went through the first kilometre.

With the race stringing out into the second and final lap France’s Louis Vitiello took the win with a 14.36 5k split with Solomon Okrafo-Smart the first Brit across the line in 12th. 3 more British men rounded out the top 20 with Hamish Reilly 16th, Daniel Van Aardt 17th and Deri McCluskey 19th.

British Elite Men:

• 12. Solomon Okrafo-Smart
• 16. Hamish Reilly
• 17. Daniel Van Aardt
• 19. Deri McCluskey
• 22. Jack Stanton-Stock
• 31. Christopher Perham

See Full Elite Men’s Results here

Full Live Relay here