Mark Barr breaks Andrew Lewis’ winning streak

World champion Andrew Lewis saw his winning streak come to an end in thrilling fashion on Saturday (30 June) as Iseo, Italy, staged its first International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Para Triathlon Series.

In the men’s PTS2, Great Britain’s Lewis – who is also the Paralympic and European champion - was beaten for the first time since 2015 as the USA’s Mark Barr secured the surprise win amid the Italian heat.

Former Paralympic swimmer Barr (1:07.28) exited the swim nearly one minute ahead of the field and never looked back to claim gold. In the race for silver, Lewis finished seven seconds ahead of Mohamed Lahna who competed under the ITU flag.

Canada’s Stefan Daniel was also beaten in his first ITU event since winning the 2017 World Championships, as Great Britain’s George Peasgood (59:24) continued his excellent season in the men’s PTS5. The 22-year-old pulled away in the swim, before extending his lead on the bike to finish 21 seconds ahead of Daniel. Spain’s Jairo Ruiz Lopez claimed bronze.

British dominance

Peasgood’s win was one of four British golds.

Rio 2016 silver medallist Lauren Steadman (1:07:18) secured her third victory of the season in commanding fashion. Claire Cashmore ensured a British one-two, while France’s Gwladys Lemoussu completed the podium.

Following victories in Yokohama, Japan, and Eton Dorney, Great Britain, Dave Ellis (1:01:51) made it a hat-trick of wins in the men’s PTVI, finishing ahead of Spain’s Hector Catala Laparra in silver. Maurizio Romeo gave the home crowds something to cheer; his bronze was the hosts’ only medal.

In the women’s equivalent, just one second separated Alison Patrick (1:08:23) and Spain’s Susana Rodriguez after the swim, but a strong showing on the bike secured another British win. The USA’s Amy Dixon completed the podium.

Perfect Plat

The men’s PTWC podium was a repeat of last year’s World Championships as Dutch Paralympic, world and European champion Jetze Plat (57:35) proved unstoppable.

Compatriot Geert Schipper and Great Britain’s Joe Townsend took silver and bronze, respectively.

The women’s PTWC was the only event not to feature a world medallist, but Australia’s Lauren Parker (1:15:21) showed why she should be classed a contender for September’s World Championships by securing her first World Series win. Japan’s Wakako Tsuchida took silver, with bronze going to Netherlands’ Margret Ijdema.

The USA’s Paralympic champion Allysa Seely (1:19:22) ran almost two minutes quicker than everyone else to seal the win in the women’s PTS2. Great Britain’s Fran Brown held off the challenge of Seely’s compatriot Hailey Danz to secure second spot.

Spain’s PTS3 world champion Daniel Molina (1:08:21) used his swimming prowess to build an initial lead of more than three minutes. He held off Great Britain’s Ryan Taylor at the finish line. Croatia’s Antun Bosnjakovic took third.

Russia claimed the two PTS4 titles as Mikhail Kolmakov* and Anna Plotnikova* won the men’s and women’s events respectively.

Despite being the fifth triathlete to exit the water, Kolmakov (1:05.17) caught up with a strong bike and run to finish 14 seconds ahead of Spain’s Alejandro Sanchez Palomero. Bronze went to Japan’s Hideki Uda.

The battle for the women’s PTS4 title was just as close as Plotnikova (1:18:39) finished 17 seconds ahead of Australia’s two-time world champion Sally Pilbeam. Great Britain’s Hannah Moore finished third.

France’s Elise Marc (1:21:58) was the sole competitor in the women’s PTS3 event.

Full results can be found on the ITU’s website.

*Editor's note: The International Paralympic Committee suspended the Russian Paralympic Committee on 7 August 2016 for its inability to fulfil its IPC membership responsibilities and obligations, in particular its obligation to comply with the IPC Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Code (to which it is also a signatory). As a result of the suspension, Russian athletes cannot enter IPC sanctioned events or competitions, including the Paralympic Games. For further information please click here.