Based on the evidence of the World Para-Triathlon Championships last year, it would have taken a brave gamble to bet against Dave Ellis and Susana Rodriguez repeating their respective triumphs in the PTVI class.
Both had been imperious in Abu Dhabi in 2022 and it seemed unlikely that either would be beaten anytime soon.
Nevertheless, when they arrived in Pontevedra to tackle the 2023 World Championships a coterie of challengers were ready and waiting to take their shots at the wearers of the crowns.
Among the men, Ellis (B3), faced a stern challenge from Kyle Coon (B1). At the Paris World Para Cup, Coon had crossed the line first; it soon transpired he had done so after missing a lap. Still, it could have been a harbinger for crossing the line first in Spain.
Thibaut Rigaudeau (B3) also presented a major danger.
Meanwhile Rodriguez (B1) had one clear obstacle. Francesca Tarantello (B3).
At the World Para Series in Swansea, Tarantello had handed Rodriguez her first defeat since April 2019. The young Italian is a rising force but now she had to beat Rodriguez on Spanish turf amid the highest stakes of the season.
For the men, the B3 and B2 athletes started 2:41 after the B1 athletes. The deficit for the B3 and B2 women was 3:11.
Ellis and Tarantello (and others) thus had a chase on their hands when the starter’s signal sounded.
Ellis had the best swim of the men’s field, clocking a time of 9:48. He was the only man under 10 minutes although Rigaudeau followed in 10:13. After a superior T1, the French athlete then caught Ellis on the bike. Staying close together, they then picked off the athletes ahead until they arrived into T2 sharing the lead.
A cluster of men were close behind Ellis and Rigaudeau but the lead pair soon asserted themselves on the run. Ellis then broke clear to stamp his authority over the race.
With a field-leading run split of 15:37, Ellis ran away to the world title by over a minute. Having fought valiantly, Rigaudeau crossed the line next to take the silver medal.
Antoine Perel (B1) then made it two French men on the podium as he finished 3rd.
In the women’s race, Tarantello closed down 2:29 of Rodriguez’s advantage in the water. On the bike, she then blazed ahead of the defending champion.
Rodriguez was not over-awed, though, and limited the damage. While Tarantello split 31:09 to Rodriguez’s 31:45, the Spaniard arrived in T2 within striking distance of her rival.
Yet on the run, the surge Rodriguez had loaded did not quite come.
Buoyed by her success in Swansea, Tarantello tore into the run. No matter what Rodriguez tried, the gap simply grew and grew. By the time the 5km was over, Tarantello was 32 seconds up the road and out of sight as she claimed her maiden world title.
For years, Rodriguez has been an almighty force in the women’s PTVI event. In Pontevedra, Tarantello confirmed that her Swansea win was no fluke and that there is a new sheriff in town. Looking ahead to the Paralympic Games next year, their clash could be titanic.
Rodriguez crossed and graciously took the silver medal. Over 2 minutes later, Annouck Curzillat (B1) earned the bronze medal.
Check out the full results here.
