2008 Rimini ITU Duathlon World Championships, Italy. 10km run, 40km bike, 5k run

Paul Amey won his third ITU Duathlon World Championship on a day marred by controversy in Rimini, Italy. Belgian Rob Woestenborghs was first across the line but after his own teammate lodged a protest, Woestenborghs was later disqualified by race officials thereby giving the world championship title to Amey.

The drama began early in the 40-kilometer bike segment as all six men were in the lead pack. According to Dereere, his Belgian teammate Woestenborghs was cycling dangerously. Eventually Amey, Aernouts and Woestenborghs broke away and went on to post the three fastest bike splits of the day by almost two full minutes. That lead was enough for all three to secure the podium with Woestenborghs crossing the line first, Amey second and Aernouts in third.

However, after the race, Dereere filed a protest with race officials against Woestenborghs for his aggressive riding. Officials said it was a tough call but ultimately disqualified both men for what was deemed “unsportsmanlike and dangerous behaviour on the first lap of the bike segment which risked the safety of the competitors around them”.

In the women’s event Olympic silver medallist Vanessa Fernandes of Portugal successfully defended her ITU Duathlon World Championship. It was a commanding victory for Fernandes who finished ahead of 2-time Long Distance Duathlon World Champion Catriona Morrison of Great Britain and double Olympian Ana Burgos of Spain.

Morrison, who only started her season last month due to knee surgery in April, has come back strong and adds the silver medal to her long distance world championship in August.

Alongside the impressive elite success in Rimini, Great Britain’s Age Group competitors also accumulated a number of medals.

You can view the full results for the elite and age group catagories here. Results and report courtesy of ITU official website.

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