French Star Claims World Duathlon Crown in Epic Rain-Soaked Battle
Sprint specialist Blondel-Hermant claims historic men's victory in Switzerland while Brunée leads unprecedented German sweep of women's podium at World Championships.
Émile Blondel-Hermant turned silver into gold at the 2024 ITU Powerman Long Distance Duathlon World Championships, conquering treacherous conditions to record the second-fastest winning time in the event's history at Zofingen, Switzerland.
The 30-year-old Frenchman, primarily a sprint specialist, outlasted a fierce early challenge from a lead quartet before breaking away in the final running leg. His victory was even more remarkable given his pre-race doubts: "My preparation wasn't ideal because I mainly trained for the sprint format," he admitted after crossing the finish line.
In the women's race, Germany's Merle Brunée claimed an unprecedented third world title, leading a dominant German sweep of the top four positions. Her victory came after a strategic masterclass, deliberately holding back early while local favorite Melanie Maurer set a blistering pace. The patience paid off when Maurer was forced to abandon with stomach issues on the final bike leg.
The challenging course, consisting of running and cycling segments in increasingly heavy rain, proved a true test of endurance. Belgium's Seppe Odeyn fought back to claim silver in the men's race, marking his return to the podium for the first time since his 2021 victory, while Switzerland's Jens-Michael Gossauer secured bronze despite a late-race fade.
Brunée's tactical acumen showed in her post-race comments: "If I had kept up with Melanie Maurer's high initial pace, I probably wouldn't have made it to the finish." Her victory, followed by compatriots Maja Betz, Nelly Rassmann, and Lisa Strothmann, underscored Germany's current dominance in women's long-distance duathlon.
