WTS Leeds: Elite women’s quotes
All the reaction from the top elite women at the debut Leeds WTS event
FLORA DUFFY, 2ND (BERMUDA)
ON… RACING HARD
It’s always my tactic to race hard from the start and try and hit the podium. When I came off the bike with a 1:45min lead over Gwen, I thought it was going to be close and that I could maybe do it. But my legs starting to feel pretty heavy on the run and I didn’t have that bouncy, light feeling. And then I started to see Gwen closing. But I couldn’t be happier with second.
ON… RIO TACTICS
In terms of Rio, I’m be going for the same tactic and I hope that they’ll be some other girls willing to join me. I think we can easily get a two minute lead out there. But every race unfolds differently and you never know what’s going to happen in triathlon until the gun goes off.
VICKY HOLLAND, 3RD (GB)
ON… ANOTHER GWEN WIN
I’m a bit disappointed that I had a wetsuit removal problem in T1 and then lost contact with the three really strong bikers. And another Gwen win? It’s becoming a bit repetitive isn’t it?! How are we going to do to beat her? She is phenomenal and pulled out such a strong run today. It’s such a technical course and was single file for the most of it.
JODIE STIMPSON, 4TH (GB)
ON… EMPTYING THE TANK
I wish I could’ve won the sprint finish at the end but Vicky was too fast. I’m sure my coach Darren [Smith] will call me a tactical numpty for doing too much work at the front on the run though. Tactically I did what I needed to on the bike and I definitely emptied the tank on the run.
ON… MISSING THE RIO SQUAD
It’s been a tough couple of months with missing Rio and the hard times aren’t over just yet. It’s tough running with the girls [Non, Vicky and Helen Jenkins] and knowing that they’re going to Rio and I’m not. But we’re a fantastic triathlon nation and any of the girls can win gold in Rio.
ON… BEATING GWEN
Gwen did have weaknesses on the bike today and if a breakaway like that happens in Rio, then I just hope our Brit girls are up there. If they can push that technical bike course in Rio then they could really be away.
BARBARA RIVEROS DIAZ (CHILE), 5TH
ON… YORKSHIRE TRI CULTURE
It was an amazing atmosphere out there and it’s been great to immerse myself in Yorkshire tri culture over the weekend. I’ve been out to see the roads where the Brownlees ride and where they grew up, so it’s been a great education.
NON STANFORD, 9TH (GB)
ON… A TOUGH DAY
That was tough, really tough. But we knew it was always going to be hard. Unfortunately today I just didn’t have it, I felt rubbish on the swim and didn’t want to get back in for the second lap! But the crowds here today got me round. I don’t know why I struggled so much, but it’ll be something we’ll have to look at.
We tried to hold that bridge that gap with the lead chasing group but it’s tough when you’re the only one in the pack willing to work at the front. But no excuses and I’ll have to go home and assess what went wrong. My training has been going really well yet sometimes you have these days. We’ve still got work to do in trying to stop Gwen in Rio.
JESSICA LEARMONTH AND LUCY HALL, 10TH AND 13TH (GB)
ON…HELPING FLORA
We really wanted to help Flora on the bike and pull our own weight. But she’s so strong on the bike and was just doing everything. She was amazing and cracked on and did her own race. Vicky coming third and in her home race is phenomenal.
Image: Dave Pearce
Read the full WTS Leeds race report here
Matt Baird
Editor of Cycling Plus magazine 
