Gemmell and Docherty in top four at Kitzbuehel world cup

Former world champion Ivan Rana sent a strong signal that Javier Gomez will not be the only Spanish contender at the Beijing Olympic Games with a stunning win at the ITU Kitzbuehel World Cup in Austria this morning New Zealand time.

Rana last won a World Cup in 2003 but won impressively in Austria this morning, running clear of a world class field that included Kiwis Bevan Docherty and Kris Gemmell to win by six seconds.

But the Kiwis were impressive too in their final hit out before Beijing, with Gemmell nudging ahead of a strong chase pack to claim silver ahead of Athens bronze medalist Sven Riederer (SUI) with Docherty next across the line in fourth place.

For 31 year old Gemmell it all went according to the longer term plan, one that culminates in Beijing on August 19th.

“Ivan got away early but I had some clear objectives in this race to run within myself, I didn’t push too hard, the hardest part was the final 200m. I made sure that I made every post a winner in terms of what I had to do today. I haven’t even started my speed work; things are going good, I’m really happy.

“I thought about going after the lead but Ivan (Rana) pushed early and made a good gap and deserves to win but I was thinking about Beijing all the time and thought the better of it, so just stayed where I was, I was comfortable today.”

Docherty admits to not having a good day but is more than happy with where he is at as Beijing approaches.

“Today wasn‘t my best day, I felt heavy and slow so to get 4th I’m happy with that. Obviously Rana had a good day and dominated and we (the chase pack) were just playing with each other. I felt pretty average, which is kind of where I wanted to be four weeks out from the games. The last place you wanted to be is rocketing right now, so things are still on track. I felt strong but definitely not flying. Things will change over four weeks and I am definitely on track.”

ITU World Cup, Kitzbuehel, Austria
Elite Men, unofficial results
1 Ivan Rana (SPN) 1:45:23
2 Kris Gemmell (NZL) 1:45:29
3 Sven Riederer (SUI) 1:45:29
4 Bevan Docherty (NZL) 1:45:30
5 Ivan Vasiliev (RUS) 1:45:31
6 L Vidal (FRA) 1:45:43
7 T Moulai (FRA) 1:45:53
8 Flipe Ospaly (CZE) 1:45:56
9 A Brukhanknov (RUS) 1:45:59
10 Marcus Petzold (GER) 1:46:20

Kris Gemmell Audio: http://www.triathlon.org/media/audio/kitz08-man2.mov

Bevan Docherty Audio: http://www.triathlon.org/media/audio/kitz08-bevan.mov