Southwestern France proved to be a happy hunting ground for British athletes on Saturday, at the second edition of Challenge Vieux Bocau. Not only that, but four of the six podium spots were taken by the travelling British contingent.
Breakthrough win for Jack Hutchens
Victory on Saturday represented a first professional middle-distance victory for Jack Hutchens. It has come off the back of a year in which he has had dual objectives.
As well as his individual racing, he was also the reserve guide for visually impaired para athlete, Dave Ellis, and was ready to step in, should there have been any injury or illness to Dave’s primary guide, Luke Pollard. That included guiding Dave to success on UK soil, when that pairing won at the World Triathlon Para Series Swansea earlier this year.
Photo Credit: Ben Lumley / World Triathlon
In France, Hutchens swam close to the front pack of swimmers, biked strongly to break away with a small group including fellow Brit, Harry Palmer, and then ran strong to take the tape. “I thought Harry is going to run away with it, but I just had the day of my life and I am so happy.”
Back-to-back for Daisy Davies
Like Hutchens, Daisy Davies has been mixing things up this year. A recent winner of the draft-legal British Elite Championships at Mallory Park, Davies also raced and won at Challenge Wales in June this year, to show talents across multiple formats and distances.
Heading a British quarter which included Chloe Sparrow, Rosie Weston and Megan McDonald out of the opening 1.9km swim, Davies took control early in the bike leg, and built herself a healthy lead of almost five minutes over McDonald at T2, with Sweden’s Anna Bergsten a further minute back.
While Bergsten (1:20:42) and McDonald (1:23:33) took time back – the Swede moving into second place in the process – but Davies had set up her race on the second discipline, and had more than enough in hand to take a second Challenge Family win. “It was a great event and the crowd were awesome. A credit to the volunteers and organisers to put on such a great event,”
Daisy Davies running to victory
Challenge Vieux Bocau Results 2024
Saturday 5 October 2024 – 1.9km / 90km / 21.1km
PRO Women
1. Daisy Davies (GBR) – 4:05:49 (25:48 / 2:10:43 / 1:25:12)
2. Anna Bergsten (SWE) – 4:07:02 (26:52 / 2:15:30 / 1:20:42)
3. Megan McDonald (GBR) – 4:08:56 (25:55 / 2:15:41 / 1:23:33)
PRO Men
1. Jack Hutchens (GBR) – 3:37:50 (23:29 / 1:59:28 / 1:11:34)
2. Harry Palmer (GBR) – 3:38:40 (23:57 / 1:59:19 / 1:12:21)
3. Fabian Meeusen (SWI) – 3:39:35 (23:15 / 2:02:46 / 1:10:02)
Challenge Vieux Bocau 2024 In Pictures
A regular on these pages, photographer José Luis Hourcade (www.joseluishourcade.com) was on hand to capture the race in pictures.
Andrew Horsfall-Turner (centre) helping with swim course advice
Pre-race smiles
The Pro Men get started
Closely followed by the Pro women
There wasn’t much to separate the leading men out of the water
Harry Palmer was intent on breaking the field up on the bike
Swim leader, Fabian Meeusen, early in the bike
Daisy Davies cycled clear and built a big advantage
Jack Hutchens, Iestyn Harrett and Harry Palmer pushing the pace
Great views on this course
Megan McDonald held second place through the bike leg
Chloe Sparrow, one of the leaders out of the water, riding strongly
Hutchens, Palmer and Cenzino Lebot (FRA) would be the first three off the bike
Hutchens was having a great day
Another strong performance from the increasingly consistent Harry Palmer
Daisy Davies on course for victory
McDonald made up time on leader Davies
Chloe Sparrow on the run
With the fastest run, Bergsten would earn second place on the day
A delighted Jack Hutchens raises the finish tape
Jack Hutchens (1st), Harry Palmer (2nd) and Fabian Meeusen (3rd) complete the Pro Men podium
A second Challenge Family win in 2024 for Daisy Davies
Daisy Davies (1st), Anna Bergsten (2nd) and Megan McDonals (3rd)
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