Bergere bags World Triathlon title in Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI: France’s Leo Bergere upset the odds to win his first World Triathlon title ater finishing first in the elite men’s event in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Bergere, who was third in the rankings going into the final race of the series, finished his race in a time of 1:44:14 to secure the gold medal and win the championship.
The championship had come down to the wire going into Saturday’s race but Bergere came out of it as the unlikely victor. Great Britain’s Alex Yee had needed to place third to win but finished three secondsbehindbelgium’sjellegeenstoplacefourth.
“It’s insane,” Bergere said of his success. “I don’t know what to say. I didn’t want to do the maths before the race, I just wanted to race all out and try to break away.
“We went for it as a team and I can’t thank them enough.”
The World Triathlon Championship Finals 2022 presented by Daman have come to a close in Abu Dhabi ater four days of scintillating competition and activities, further enhancing the UAE capital’s place as a global sporting event leader.
More than 80 international federations were represented at the Finals, hosted in Abu Dhabi for the first time, with the stunning backdrop of Yas Waterfront on Yas Island – a global hub for major sporting competition.
This was the culmination of the 2022 World Triathlon Series season, as world champions were crowned across elite, elite U23, para, and age group categories – with jubilant crowds on hand to cheer them home in a festival-like atmosphere. In addition, community and junior races hosted athletes of all ages and abilities giving athletes the chance to race on the same course and the same weekend as the world’s best.
Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council said: “Abu Dhabi has a long history with the sport of triathlon, but to host the World Triathlon Championship Finals for the first time has been an incredible honour.
“We thank everyone who has made this possible including event organisers, athletes, fans, sponsors, World Triathlon for puting their trust in Abu Dhabi to host this end-of-season showpiece, and Yas Island which has once again shown what a world-class sporting venue this is.
“The level of competition across all categories has been incredible. We have been inspired by all the athletes who took part and provided an excellent spectacle, but we must offer a special congratulations to the winners.’’
Marisol Casado, President of World Triathlon, and IOC board member said: “This has been the perfect end to a wonderful World Triathlon Series season. The competition was fiercely contested, and all the athletes showed us what triathlon is all about – amazing levels of fitness, determination, and heart – but also a wonderful sense of community and inclusion. To see so many taking part in community, age group, para, and elite competition shows the inclusivity of this sport, and we take huge pride in seeing participation growing year ater year.
“An event of this size and importance is a huge undertaking to host and we offer our thanks to Abu Dhabisportscouncilforonceagainshowcasingwhy Abu Dhabi is one of the world’s most iconic sporting venues. We are also grateful to UAE Triathlon for their phenomenal support in making this a week to remember.”
Stuart Leatherby, Chief Commercial Business Officer, Daman said: ‘‘Once again we are delighted for Daman to be a sponsor for the World Triathlon Championship Finals. This has been a very special event as it has brough both elite and community athletes together in a huge celebration of sport and wellbeing
“Triathlon is a very accessible sport, whether swimming, cycling, or running and it was particularly inspiring to see all the community athletes taking part this week. We can’t all be elite competitors but through sports, like triathlon, we can all get a litle more active, improve our health, happiness and overall wellbeing - and that’s a message we have seen loud and clear during this fantastic week.’’
In the elite races, an almost unparalleled field has been assembled featuring the world’s top ten athletesinbothmen’sandwomen’scategoriesalong with a host of Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European champions.