The German municipality of Kalkar will this weekend play host to the 2016 ETU European Duathlon Championships, which will see the cream of the multi-sport crop seeking international podium success.
The 2015 Championships, which took place in Alcobendas in Spain, saw British athletes secure Elite medals across Senior, Under-23 and Junior categories and there are medal chances this year once again.
Leading the team is perhaps Great Britain's most experienced Elite duathlete, Philip Wylie. A European Bronze medal winner in both 2015 and 2014, Philip has been in excellent form this winter on the domestic cross-country scene, and will look to transfer that speed to the run-bike-run format this weekend. Joining Philip is Carl Avery, who finished in fifth place two weeks ago in a very competitive British Elite Championship at the Windsor Duathlon. An Age-Group World Champion in both 2014 and 2015, this will be Carl's first Great Britain representation at Elite level. Gillian Palmer is Great Britain's sole representative in the women's Elite race, fresh from a Bronze medal at the Windsor Duathlon. The Elite races will be held over the 10k/40k/5k format and feature both defending champions, Benoit Nicolas (FRA) and Sandra Levenez (FRA).
The Junior Elite races will feature both British Champions, Lewis Byram and Serena O'Connor, joined by the Silver medal winners from that Windsor Duathlon, Will Crudgington and Hannah Hobbs.
A large British Age-Group entry will be competing for honours at both Standard (10k/40k/5k) and Sprint (5k/20k/2.5k) distances. Last year in Spain the team collected a significant haul of 34 medals (Standard) and 38 medals (Sprint), including a total of 23 Gold medals.
Returning British Gold medal winners from the 2015 European Championships include Amy Chalmers (16-19), James Kershaw (20-24), Louella O'Herlihy (45-49), Peter Jagan (65-69), David Gilbert (70-74) and Maurice Young (80-84).
One athlete hoping to be among the medals is Claire Steels. Winner of the ITU World Duathlon Championships (25-29) in Adelaide last year, Claire recently added the British Championship in her new, 30-34, category and so a European Championship would complete the set. "I'm really looking forward to the Championships! I'm still so new to it all, this is my first European Champs, and I'm stepping up an age-group, so I'm a little apprehensive about it but it should be a great experience. The venue looks like it's going to be great fun too!"
Great Britain Age-Group Sprint Team Manager, Joan Lennon, said: “I have a team of more than 200 Sprint athletes racing in Kalkar, aged from under 20 to over 80. The energy, commitment and enthusiasm being shown by the team in the build up has been amazing and I know how talented these athletes are.
“We are hoping for plenty of medals and my focus will be on supporting the team so that they get to the start line well prepared and they can concentrate on racing hard.
“Weather is always a topic of conversation before race day, but at the minute it’s looking ok – so fingers crossed!”
Managing the Great Britain Age-Group Standard Team, Glyn Bevans added: “With the race course being changed to what was originally intended; transition is now in an exhibition hall meaning the support and atmosphere surrounding the GB Age-Group Team will be phenomenal. Hopefully this will help athletes in those inevitable tight finishes to bring home a medal or gain that higher placing.”
In the Paraduathlon event, Mark Conway (PT1), Richard Mcleod (PT3), Steven Crowley (PT4) and Adrian Howden (PT4) are the British entries.
British Elite athletes - ETU European Duathlon Championships Kalkar, Germany
Elite Men: Philip Wylie, Carl Avery
Elite Women: Gillian Palmer
Junior Men: Will Crudgington, Lewis Byram
Junior Women: Serena O'Connor, Hannah Hobbs
Paraduathlon Men: Mark Conway (PT1), Richard Mcleod (PT3), Steven Crowley (PT4), Adrian Howden (PT4)
For a full list of competing Age-Group athletes, please visit here.
Schedule
Saturday 16th April - Paraduathlon, Age-Group (Standard), Age-Group (Sprint), Junior Elite
Sunday 17th April - Senior Elite and Under-23
Event website: http://www.duathlon-kalkar.de
