Lucy Charles-Barclay said it was “time to pull the trigger” at the long-distance triathlon world championships in Šamorín. She did just that as she roared across the finish line to be crowned world champion ahead of Great Britain team-mate Emma Pallant-Browne.
The reigning 70.3 world champion has endured a long stint on the sidelines with a stress fracture in her hip that ruled her out of the IRONMAN World Championship in May and the Sub8 Project in June, so it was no surprise to see the excitement on her face as she crowned her comeback in style.
Pierre LeCorre won the men’s race, the shorter distances suited the Frenchman, who overtook Florian Angert and Frederic Funk in the early stages of the 18km.
Elite Women: Lucy has the answers
Charles-Barclay reveled in the choppy, choppy swim, establishing more than a minute lead over Rebecca Clarke (NZL).
However, she didn’t have it all her way as defending champion Sarissa De Vries (NED) overtook her at the turning point on the bike. After berating his poor “short course skills”, he worked hard against the headwind and any questions about his ability to run after his injury were answered.
“I can’t believe it. I obviously wanted to come back and run. I had to believe in myself and do as much as I could. I didn’t know where my career was going to be, but I’m really happy with it,” she said afterwards.
Pallant-Browne passed several athletes to win the silver. “At the beginning of the week we said goodbye to my grandfather, this is for him,” she explained.
“I’m happy to be on the podium. It’s always an honor to run with her (Charles-Barclay).
Elite Men – Le Corre does it perfectly
Le Corre was not the favorite to win today, but his race was a class apart from the rest of the field. A brilliant short course athlete, Le Corre was just a second behind Jamie Riddle (RSA) coming out of the swim and leading at the start of the bike.
German athletes Angert and Funk pushed the pace on the bike and led the transition and race. However, Le Corre moved past them and maintained a fluid racing style until the end.
Le Corre said: “I’m very happy to win today. I didn’t feel so good running away with cramps. I was trying to get ahead of myself. I was very happy to take the lead at 4km.”
Angert was pleased with the second, noting it was good preparation for Kona in October. Funk was also happy with his first world championship medal.
Results of the 2022 Long Distance Triathlon World Cup
Sunday 21 August 2022 – 2km / 80km / 18km – Šamorín, Slovakia
Elite women
1. Lucy Charles Barclay (GBR)2. Emma Pallant-Browne (GBR)3. Sarissa De Vries (NED)
elite men
1. Pierre Le Corre (FRA)2. Florian Angert (GER)3. Frederic Funk (Germany)