Keane claims World Cup silver
Corks Bryan Keane claimed his first ITU Triathlon World Cup podium in Ishigaki, Japan despite crashing his bike while fellow Irishman Conor Murphy also hit the tarmac but got back up to finish 14th.
The podium finish was just deserts for Keane who suffered bad luck last weekend at the Auckland World Triathlon Series where he was knocked from his bike while in a strong position.
Both Keane and Murphy had good swims and came out after 1500m in 10th and 12th. Keane seized an opportunity for a break away on the bike with Ryan Fisher and Dan Wilson.
With conditions treacherous due to the wet streets Keane came down and it looked to be another disastrous race for the Irishman. He was quick to dust himself off and was back in the chase in a matter of seconds.
In the chase pack behind, Murphy also had a brush with the tarmac and suffered some nasty road rash. He too was quick to get back into the race and was still looking for a good result.
O
nto the 10km run and Keane was motoring, reeling in Wilson with every kilometre.
He eventually overhauled the Aussie in the final kilometres to take a hard fought silver medal.
Murphy had some work to do after his mishap on the bike but was in top running form picking of athletes as he went thanks to the 5th fastest run of the day in 32min 44secs. Keane also clocked an impressive 10k split in 32min 35secs.
Thanks to improved rankings both Keane and Murphy have got a start for the Yokohama leg of the World Triathlon Series on the 11th of May.
