Learmonth storms to European gold

Triathlon star Jessica Learmonth led home a British one-two to take European Championship gold in Kitzbuhel, fending off Sophie Coldwell in the closing stages.

The Yorkshire athlete led after the swim and extended that quickly on the bike, with silver medalist Coldwell close behind.

A group of four, which also included Italy’s Alice Betto and Anastasia Gorbunova, broke away – but they could not live with Learmonth towards the end of the race as she kicked for home and burst clear to win.

Coldwell held off Betto and Gorbunova to take silver, with the Italian taking bronze.

Reigning champion India Lee finished in 15th place.

"I never expected to be European Champion when I started in triathlon but wow, I'm delighted,” Learmonth said.

"It was great riding and running with Sophie and to get a GB 1-2 is just amazing, and India made some tactical decisions which helped us."

In a great day for British Triathlon, Kate Waugh took gold in the Junior Women, beating Denmark’s Sif Bendix Madsen by three seconds.

Olivia Mathias finished fifth, while Issy Morris and Erin Wallace also secured top-20 finishes.

"Jess and Sophie worked superbly well together, showed their great strength on the bike and ran well. The future is looking bright for both of them, it's a brilliant result and we're very pleased,” British Triathlon Performance Director Brendan Purcell said. Sportsbeat 2017