Torremolinos Turns the European Cup into an Intense Duathlon with Spanish Medals

The 2026 Torremolinos European Triathlon Cup was held on Saturday, marked by adaptation and spectacle, on a weekend that combined high international competition with the participatory atmosphere of popular triathlon. The event, which was presented as one of the major events on the continental calendar, had to modify its format at the last minute, transforming into a duathlon after the swimming segment was canceled due to safety concerns related to water quality at Los Álamos beach, due to sewage discharges.

Thus, the triathletes faced a demanding course of 2.5 km of running, 20 km of cycling, and a final 5 km run, in a more explosive format with less tactical margin than the usual triathlon. The change in script conditioned the development of the elite races, where prominent names from the European and Spanish scenes were the favorites in a competitive context completely different from what was planned.

The absence of the swimming segment favored stronger profiles in running and cycling, leading to faster and more open races from the start, on a day when the audience responded by filling the circuit and supporting the athletes on each lap during the duathlon competition.

The Elite competitions concluded the day with the women's and men's events. In the former, the victory went to French athlete Ambre Grasset, who won in the final sprint and after checking the photo finish against Austrian Carina Reicht, who took the silver medal. Completing the podium, Swiss Anouk Danna, earned the bronze medal. Meanwhile, the first Spanish woman, Noelia Juan from Valencia, finished 4th at the finish line.

The Spanish men had similar fortunes in the men's race, with Jarno Pousada finishing 4th after moving up positions in the last running segment, nearly reaching the medals. Ahead of him, a French double with Louis Vitiello taking gold and Tristan Douche silver, and the bronze medal going to German Jaspar Ortfield. With Héctor Tolsá (9th) and Eloy Canales (10th) rounding out the Top Ten. Malaga Olympian Alberto González returned to competition in Torremolinos and the change in format did not favor him, finishing in 31st place.

Junior Male and Female

Regarding the junior races, the female event began with a strong Spanish participation and the battle for medals fiercely contested until the last meters of the run. Ultimately, gold went to French Rosalie Gallant, who won in the final sprint and thanks to the photo finish decision against Spanish Candela Sánchez. Closing the podium, Israeli Adar Haya earned the bronze medal. Among the rest of the Spanish in the Top Ten, María Tenorio stood out in 5th place.

Next came the junior male race, with victory going to Spaniard Xavi Cabanilles who managed to prevail in the final meters of the run against his teammate and training partner Damián Suárez, who took silver. Closing the podium was Slovak Dominik Ivaničk. Completing the list of Spaniards in the Top Ten, Manuel Prada finished 4th, Lucas García 5th, Jonay Álvarez 6th, Álvaro Llinares 9th, and Arcadi Sala 10th.