Triathlon winners criticise 'dangerous' bike course

Eastern European athletes came away with the major spoils from yesterday's Hong Kong ITU Triathlon Asian Cup, but both the men's and the women's winners were critical of the 40-kilometre bike course.

Russia's Vladimir Turbayevskiy won the men's elite event and said after the race the bike course was dangerous, a comment backed up by women's winner Radka Vodickova of the Czech Republic.

Vodickova, 27, who placed second in this event two years ago, said there were no marshals on duty to prevent drafting. Referee Andrew Patrick, however, insisted officials were in place and had in fact blown whistles at a group of women who were thought to be drafting a men's pack.

"As professional triathletes, these people know the rules and they also understand they must make an official complaint within the specified time period if they suspect drafting, and right now they have run out of time to do so," said Patrick.

ITU technical delegate, Raymond Cheah from Malaysia, said the bike course was the same route that was used two years ago and it was considered "technical" but not seen as dangerous.

"The athletes were walked through the course at the briefing last night and were all told the bike course in particular was difficult and very technical, with quite a few tight turns," Cheah said. "We analysed the course for any particular obstacles and found it to be completely satisfactory."