The Challenge Phuket took place for the first time this year as a competition in the series of the same name and therefore also attracted a large number of internationally renowned triathlon professionals to the Thai holiday resort. Till Schramm from Cologne had already stated during the week that one first had to get used to the weather and the route. He compared this with the Amstel Gold Race of professional cyclists. However, he seems to have coped well with the requirements. In the end he ended up as the best German in tenth place. After the bike section it looked like he could make it into the top 5 with a good run, but on the run section he had to pay tribute to the enormous heat.
"I'm satisfied with the result, because the short preparation of only two weeks in the bad German weather didn't allow any longer training sessions", Schramm commented on his performances at the end of the season in distant Asia.
Further ahead, the Dane Rasmus Petræus circled lonely. Setting the tone from the start, he climbed out of the water together with the two Italians Alberto Casadei and Alberto Alessandroni. On the bike, the trio continuously improved on the pursuers around the strong riders Ruedi Wild and the ex-professional cyclist Massimo Cigana. With a lead of almost six minutes, the trio finally went on the final run, on which Petræus finally ignited the turbo. In the end, the two Italians took the remaining podium places.
In the women's category, Melissa Hauschildt was the big favorite. After the swim, the Australian was initially behind the Czech Radka Vodickova, but overtook her on the bike and then showed no signs of weakness. British Tamsin Lewis came in third.
// result men
1. Rasmus Petræus (Denmark) 04:05:06
2. Alberto Casadei (Italy) 04:07:13
3. Alberto Alessandroni (Italy) 04:07:52
4. Ruedi Wild (Switzerland) 04:11:11
5. Massimo Cigana (Italy) 04:19:12
// result women
1. Melissa Hauschildt (Australia) 04:30:29
2. Radka Vodickova (Czech Republic) 04:36:16
3. Tamsin Lewis (Great Britain) 04:44:49
4. Belinda Granger (Australia) 04:51:59
5. Ange Castle (Australia) 04:53:02