NEWS

Gomez, Fernandes World Cup Champs

By World Triathlon Admin | 06 Dec, 2007

With the end of the 2007 BG Triathlon World Cup season, the International Triathlon Union officially announced that Vanessa Fernandes of Portugal and Javier Gomez of Spain have been crowned the 2007 BG Triathlon World Cup series champions by finishing the year ranked number one in the world.  Its the second straight overall title for both and they each earn US$40,000 from the BG Triathlon World Cup bonus pool of US$250,000.  Fernandes and Gomez have spent the majority of the 2007 season ranked number one in the world and enjoyed similar seasons.

Fernandes legend grew in 2007 as she added another phenomenal season to an already stellar career.  After settling for bronze in the season-opener, Fernandes blazed to gold for the rest of the year in nine straight major events.  She continues to etch her name in the ITU history books, now owning 19 World Cup titles, tying her with Aussie Emma Carney for most all-time.  Her 19 titles come in just 30 World Cup races, giving her an astonishing winning percentage of 0.733.  With three straight Beijing titles, Fernandes is arguably the overwhelming favourite heading into next summers Olympic Games in Beijing.

The mens side was less predictable but even in the face of highly competitive fields, Gomez was often the man to rise to the top.  The Spanish sensation captured four World Cup titles, climbing up the all-time ranks to a tie for fifth.  Gomez also conquered the prestigious European Championships and took silver at the World Championships.  Like Fernandes, Gomez is widely considered the mens favourite for Olympic gold next year.

Click here for full womens rankings

Click here for full mens rankings

Click here 2007 BG Triathlon World Cup results

VANESSA FERNANDES (POR)
Date of Birth: September 14, 1985
Place of Birth: Perosinho, Portugal
Residence: Perosinho, Portugal
Height: 56 (1.68m)
Weight: 126 lbs (57kg)  

2007 highlights
March 25: Mooloolaba BG Triathlon World Cup bronze
April 15: Ishigaki BG Triathlon World Cup gold
May 5: Lisbon BG Triathlon World Cup gold
May 19: Gyor ITU Duathlon World Championships - gold
June 3: Madrid BG Triathlon World Cup gold
June 29: Copenhagen ETU Triathlon European Championships - gold
July 29: Salford BG Triathlon World Cup gold
September 1: Hamburg BG Triathlon World Championships gold
September 15: Beijing BG Triathlon World Cup gold
October 7: Rhodes BG Triathlon World Cup gold

Career highlights
19 World Cup titles tied for 1st all-time
2006 & 2007 World Cup series champion
2004 Olympian 8th place
4-time European Champion (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)

Click here for full profile

Click here for Vanessa Fernandes career results


JAVIER GOMEZ (ESP)
Date of Birth: March 25, 1983
Place of Birth: Basel, Switzerland
Residence: Pontevedra and Ferrol, Spain
Height: 59 (1.78m)
Weight: 151.8 lbs (69kg)  

2007 highlights
March 25: Mooloolaba BG Triathlon World Cup silver
May 5: Lisbon BG Triathlon World Cup gold
June 3: Madrid BG Triathlon World Cup silver
June 17: Des Moines BG Triathlon World Cup bronze
June 29: Copenhagen ETU Triathlon European Championships - gold
July 29: Salford BG Triathlon World Cup gold
August 11: Tiszaujvaros BG Triathlon World Cup gold
September 2: Hamburg BG Triathlon World Championships silver
September 15: Beijing BG Triathlon World Cup gold

Career highlights
7 World Cup titles tied for 5th all-time
2007 European Champion
2006 & 2007 World Cup series champion
2003 Under23 World Champion

Click here for full profile

Click here for Javier Gomezs career results