A big start list of 63 men took to the water in Viña del Mar but the race seemed to come down to the antics of one man.
Local favourite Diego Moya had a strong start to the swim. He made it to the first buoy with Jawad Abdelmoula for company. Wearing number 1, Abdelmoula is not normally renowned for his swim and so was in prime position. Moya, meanwhile, looked strong.
Over the second half of the swim, he really stretched the field, maximising the waves to his advantage to log a fast time. After being first out of the water, a strong run into T1 ensured that Moya took all the cheers of the local crowd with no one within five seconds on him and as he came out of T1 alone, he did so to the excitement of Viña del Mar.
David Castro Fajardo emerged close to Abdelmoula, some 15 seconds down on Moya. He may have been alone, but Moya seemed content to take the fight to the entire field by riding solo.
In a brave first lap, Moya tried to fight to maintain his lead as a chase group of twenty emerged. Further down the field, Spaniards Roberto Sanchez Mantecon and Genis Grau were over half a minute down on Moya and some 20 seconds down on chase.
The chase splintered trying to close on Moya and as they reeled him in a small group of four split ahead, including Moya, Darr Smith of the USA and Maciej Bruzdziak of Poland. The quartet could not make their half-gap stick though and the group reformed.
At the end of the first lap, the front group of 19 had 25 seconds on chase group. With Castro, Abdelmoula and Moya in front group, the three pre-race favourites were at the head of the race although, thanks to Moya’s flamboyant start, it did not look like a whole-field running race would transpire.
Moya attacked off the front again with two others on the second lap. Although they were quickly recaptured by the group, it displayed some real showmanship and an intent to enliven the race.
The chase group made up no real time on the lead group over the second lap. Morgan Pearson had a difficult day and was over three minutes down during the bike. It was, however, only his first race of the year after injury. More significantly, he then ripped a 15:05 run split, one of the fastest of the day, and as such a lot more can be expected of him once he has actually had a chance to regain his form.
The gap of 25 seconds was also enough to give some athletes in the front group pause for thought. With the likes of Grau behind, their gap could be vulnerable over 5km. They therefore had to press the last lap of the bike whilst holding something back for the run.
The second transition was undramatic and the running race began. As expected, it quickly looked like a two-horse race on the run between Castro and Abdelmoula. At times Abdelmoula looked like he was floating. His languid, easy style made him look exceptonally comfortable while, beside him, Castro looked a little more upright with a slightly higher tempo
And then, the man of the day did it again. Towards the end of the first lap, the irrepressible Moya attacked and the crowd picked up their voice. Castro went with Moya, with Abdelmoula happy to sit a little further back and track them.
Into the second lap, Moya and Castro pushed further clear and for the first time Abdelmoula seemed hesitant and a little slow to react. The duo of Castro and Moya pulled a few seconds clear. Moya kept pushing but Castro lurked on his shoulder.
Closer and closer the finish line came, ever so promisingly yet just that little bit too far. Moya grimaced and checked over his shoulder. Castro’s face gave nothing away. The noise alongside the course was louder than most, if not all, WTCS races and the passion of the home support grew as Moya edged towards the line. After having already attacked on the swim, bike and run, surely he did not have another burst in him. And yet the crowd raised their voices and lifted him.
Through the last turn of the course, it was a two man race. Castro. Moya. Castro. Moya. And then behind them Abdelmoula surged.
Just as Abdelmoula began to close the gap, Castro attacked and the race was suddenly over as quickly as his sprint had began. Despite what looked like a painful last hundred metres, Moya held on for a thoroughly deserved second place.
Jawad Abdelmoula rounded out the podium. Though he looked strong at the end, he may just rue letting Moya and Castro slip from his grasp at the crucial moment. Jannick Schaufler logged a massive performance, earning what may just be the best result of his career. Jordi Garcia Gracia made it two Spaniards in the top-5.
The win went to David Castro Fajardo. But the day? That may well have gone to Diego Moya, the entertainer himself.
View the full results here.
