Irish Test Rio's Olympic Triathlon

Aileen Reid and Bryan Keane were in action over the weekend on a fact finding mission at the Rio 2016 Olympic Test Event.Reid was coming back from a chest infection which saw her miss the Hamburg World Triathlon Series so wasn't expected to contend for a top finish. Following the 1500 metre swim in choppy conditions Reid exited the water in 19:45, 21 seconds off the leader Rebecca Clarke of New Zealand.That was enough to put her in the leading bike pack where she remained throughout, managing the short but testing hill which had to be climbed eight times and posting the 4th fastest bike split of the day.

Onto the run and Reid settled into her rhythm finishing 27th in a time of 2:03:56."Swim and bike front pack, not so fussed about the run and result this one time." Reid tweeted afterwards.The race was won by Gwen Jorgenson who pulled away from 2013 ITU World Champion, Non Stanford over the final kilometres with Vicky Holland in 3rd. The afternoon session saw 75 men take to the start line along Copacabana Beach. The one lap swim was led out by South African Henri Schoeman in 17:47 with Cork professional Bryan Keane 1 minute back.

The testing bike course suited Keane through and he helped to push the pace in the third pack and bridge up to the main chase pack. A leading group of 11 forged ahead with Alistair Brownlee and Javier Gomez in the mix.Onto the run and Keane clocked 33:42 over a tough course to come home in 36th position. The race was won by Javier Gomez with a 31:35 10 kilometre run split to finish. Vincent Luis finished 2nd with Richard Murray storming through from the chase pack with the fastest run of the day to finish 3rd. London Olympic Champion, Alistair Brownlee faded in the latter stages of the run to clock 33:02 for the 10 kilometres, finishing in 10th position.