Learmonth ‘super happy’ to claim silver medal after bowing to superiority of Spirig
Jess Learmonth conceded that she lost to the better woman as the legendary Nicola Spirig pipped her to European gold in the women’s triathlon in Glasgow yesterday.
Learmonth – the defending champion – led from the front in the swim and for the majority of the bike ride before her Swiss rival hunted her down on a solo mission. Spirig, 36, is the Olympic champion from London 2012 who took silver in Rio four years ago – not to mention now a five-time champion of Europe.
On the run in mild conditions at Strathclyde Country Park the Swiss star showed no signs of age to pull away and force Learmonth to settle for silver.
But the Leeds triathlete admitted she could not have asked for much more.
“I knew I’d struggle out front on my own and Nicola was extremely strong. On the run I tried to hold her but she was too good,” she said. “Nicola jumped pretty much straight away and luckily I was able to stay with her, then for the last two laps we worked together quite well. But then she just abandoned me on the run!
“I am really happy though. If I had known before the race I would get silver I think I would have taken it.
“There are loads of good athletes here today so I am super happy.
“Before the race I didn’t really back myself and I didn’t think I would be up front with Spirig in the break so I am quite surprised.
“The support I got, especially on the run, was fantastic and really helped so thank you Glasgow. They adopted me for the day.”
Glasgow’s own Beth Potter finished 27th, eight and a half minutes behind the winner.
But she only made the switch from long-distance running to triathlon in 2016 and this was her first competitive event over the Olympic distance, so the future still looks bright.
“It was a bit of a shock to the system but I got through it – it was just really tough,” she said. “I learn more from the sub-par races but I know what my weaknesses are going into the winter. I am just glad that I have got one under my belt and hopefully I can build on that for next year.”
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