Rome puts on a show as Diana Isakova triumphs
It went down to the wire at the Rome World Cup as Diana Isakova (AIN) and Tilda Månsson (SWE) surged clear of the field over the 5km run before duelling for the gold on the blue carpet. Already a WTCS gold medallist this year, Månsson threw everything she had at Isakova, but her rival would not be denied.
Home favourite Bianca Seregni (ITA) was in the mood for a spot of chaos and set about ending much of the field’s race before it had even started. A massive effort over the 750m swim put her into T1 with a healthy 20 second lead, daring those behind to give chase.
Heading up the initial chasers was Tilly Anema (GBR), with Laura Lindemann (GER), Taylor Spivey (USA) and Kirsten Kasper (USA) on her heels. Together with Seregni, that group had the makings of a potentially lethal breakaway group and it was no surprise that a pack of nine formed around them on the first of the five bike laps. Brea Roderick (NZL), Olivia Mathias (GBR), Maria Tomé (POR) and Marta Pintanel Raymundo (ESP) were the others to make up the leading nine.
In the first of multiple chase groups, two-time Rome winner Nina Eim (GER) and Kate Waugh (GBR) rode alongside Månsson and Isakova. The rest of the field behind, meanwhile, was in bits and pieces after Seregni’s assault.
The front two groups would merge on the third lap, putting over twenty women at the head of the race. A big third pack containing last year’s winner Carina Reicht (AUT) lurked behind but with plenty of running firepower at the front, eyes were already turning to the final discipline.
The second transition proved a stumbling block for Månsson as she struggled with a shoe. There were no such troubles for Isakova, though. She flew into the lead with Pintanel next out. The Swedish athlete soon bridged to Isakova as the pair separated themselves as the fastest runners. Spivey and Seregni were well placed to challenge the front duo but could not find the requisite extra gear. Indeed, Seregni soon came under pressure from Eim as Spivey tightened her hold on 3rd place.
With the finish line around the corner, Isakova made her move. A brutal turn of speed on the uphill section afforded her a precious half yard and, even as Månsson countered, Isakova had enough left to grab the gold. Spivey came through to take the bronze at her first World Cup since 2018, while Eim and Seregni rounded out the top-5.
