Germany's Franz Loschke won by just six seconds in a tight finish to the men's under-23 race at the ITU triathlon world championships Friday. Loschke, who recently moved up from junior ranks, recorded a time of 1 hour, 46 minutes, 19 seconds in the event which includes a 1.5km swim, 40km cycle leg and a 10km run. Australia's James Seear was second, with Joao Pereira of Portugal third only seven seconds further back. “Everything just came together, a great swim, a good bike and then an amazing run,” said Loschke. In the women's under-23 event, Britain's Hollie Avil beat compatriot Jodie Stimpson. Avil finished in 1 hour, 56 minutes, 38 seconds. Stimpson was 23 seconds behind, while Canada's Paula Findlay was third in 1:57.15. Britain's third competitor in the event, Vicky Holland, was fourth, 15 seconds behind Findlay. “With three of us in the top four it just proves how much talent there is coming through and how well our world-class program is working,” Avil said. The men's elite race was set for Saturday and the women's elite for Sunday. There are also 4,000 other competitors taking part in age-group and paratriathlete events. Britain's Alistair Brownlee, who has won four ITU world championship series events this year in Madrid, Washington, D.C., Kitzbuhel and London, is favored in the elite men's event, but 12 other competitors are within range of winning the world title.
