Team Dillon athletes Hayes and Pallant on the podium at Laguna Phuket Triathlon

The 22nd edition of the iconic Laguna Phuket Triathlon saw the 2015 titles go to Germany and Switzerland courtesy of two-time Ironman 70.3 World Champion Michael Raelert and Challenge Walchsee winner, Simone Braendli.

Exiting the water with Great Britain's 2012 Olympian Stuart Hayes, Raelert was able to pull clear on the bike with a 1:10:06 bike split for the 55km course, gaining him close on four minutes over Hayes and 2012 / 2013 winner Ruedi Wild (SUI). While Wild was able to regain a minute over the run, the German was untroubled and came home to a comfortable win. Hayes will be more than happy with third place after an extensive period out of top flight action with ongoing injury issues.

Simone Braendli and World Duathlon Champion Emma Pallant exited the was just seconds apart, but as with the men's race the bike would by key as the Swiss athlete was able to gain approaching two minutes over Emma heading into T2. Would Pallant's run pedigree enable her to close back that margin over the 12km? Actually, it was Braendli who was flying over the 12km with an impressive 45:26 split (less than two minutes slower than men's winner Raelert), to pull away to a clear victory margin. Pallant too was safe in second place, well clear of Australia's Dimity-Lee Duke.

We expect to see most of these athlete racing again next week over the half distance Challenge Laguna Phuket at the same venue.

Laguna Phuket Triathlon - Sunday 22nd November 2015
1.8km / 55km / 12km