Olympic silver medallist Vanessa Fernandes headlines the elite competition at tomorrows ITU Duathlon World Championships in Rimini, Italy. One of the most accomplished athletes in ITU history and known as one of the two greatest runners in triathlon today, Fernandes is perhaps less known as one of the strongest cyclists in the world.

Last year Fernandes won her first elite Duathlon world championship in Gyor, Hungary and will defend her title this weekend in Rimini against a field that includes Duathlon star Catriona Morrison. Her resume includes a silver medal in 2005, gold medal in 2006, last year’s European Duathlon championship and the last two Long Distance Duathlon World Championships. Last year in Gyor she finished a disappointing ninth place but this year will likely challenge Fernandes for the top spot.

On the men’s side, two-time Duathlon world champion Paul Amey of Great Britain defends the world title he won last year in Hungary. Most recently Amey took silver at the ETU Long Distance Triathlon European Championships earlier this month in Gerardmer, France. This weekend he’ll face still competition from Belgium and Portugal to repeat as champion.

Good luck to all those GBR age-group competitors taking part in the event.

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