Bocherer chalks up second win in two weeks in French triathlon

Abu Dhabi: Andi Bocherer made it two wins in two weeks for Team Abu Dhabi Triathlon, with victory at Gerardmer in France. It bodes well for next month's Ironman World Championship.

With a time of 2:5.41 over the 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run, Bocherer recovered from an early mistake — swimming in the wrong direction — to come out of the water first.

He then led on the bike to maintain overall victory by two minutes. Bocherer's latest victory caps a string of successful European finishes over the last five weeks, from the runner-up spot behind teammate and captain Faris Al Sultan at the inaugural Ironman Regensburg to a conclusive win at Viernheim.

"I am happy with my second win in two weeks and again this provides me with a big morale boost for the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii this October," said Bocherer.

Bocherer added: "I got turnaround in the swim, but fortunately I was able to catch the first group. From then on everything else went perfectly well, although the bike section was really tough. At the second loop, there were so many athletes I had to pass, which was made harder as the roads were narrow and rough."

Travel fatigue

Meanwhile Faris Al Sultan beat hilly terrain and travel fatigue as he finished sixth (4:38.43) in Gerardmer's extra large 1.9km swim, 93km bike, 21km run event.

Elsewhere Swen Sundberg overcame severe stomach problems to finish fifth at a middle distance race in Cologne (3:59.1).