McDonnell Third in Alanya
Team Ireland are in action this weekend at Europe Triathlon Cup Alanya. Senan McDonnell, Pearse Gallagher and Ryan Lundy were on the start line for the junior men’s and James Edgar in the elite men’s on Saturday, 25 October.
Senan McDonnell has first international podium
In the Junior Men’s event, National Triathlon Centre athlete Senan McDonnell scored his first international podium, finishing in third spot among a large field. Having recovered from a bike crash on his last outing at Africa Triathlon Cup Hurghada just a few weeks ago, a podium is the perfect way to round out McDonnell’s season. Of his race, Senan said:
“Happy to come away with third place after a tough race today. Had a strong swim and led out of the water which set things up nicely early on.”
Working in the front pack on the bike, McDonnell kept momentum going aware of the chase pack gaining behind them.
“I was happy enough with my run, but just didn’t quite have it in the legs today to take the win. Overall, a solid day out with plenty of positives.”
Fellow National Triathlon Centre athlete Pearse Gallagher finished in P15 and, fresh from his win at Africa Triathlon Junior Cup Hurghada, Ryan Lundy came home in P22 on Saturday.
Edgar in elite men's
James Edgar’s most recent race was the Africa Triathlon Cup Hurghada a couple of weeks ago, where he finished in fourth.
On the start line with a large field in Alanya, Edgar’s race started well with a solid swim. However, battling stomach issues on the bike changed the momentum of his race – James persevered to finish in P42.
Reflecting on his race, James shared:
“I had a really good swim coming out of the water six seconds down on the leader but pretty quickly I had no legs on the bike and by 4km I was throwing up.”
“I positioned myself well going into T2 but was completely empty on the run and just struggled through to the finish because DNF wasn’t an option.”
Up next, James Edgar and Hollie Elliott head to Japan for World Triathlon Cup Miyazaki.
