Lucy Gossage second, Parys Edwards third at Alpe d'Huez Long Course Triathlon

South Africa's James Cunnama earns his second Alpe d'Huez title

The Alpe d'Huez Triathlon is now in its 11th year, and 2016 represents the tenth running of the long-distance edition, added for the first time in 2007. The 'short' race takes place tomorrow.

It's a race that has proven to be a happy hunting ground for British athletes - women especially - with six of the previous nine races being won by British women, plus several other podium finishes, including a full house two years ago.

Just eleven days after her emotional third victory at Ironman UK, the Duracell Bunny was looking to improve on her second place here two years ago and aiming to join Emma Pooley, Catriona Morrison (2), Jodie Swallow, Chrissie Wellington (2) and Ritchie Nicholls on the roster of British winning success. See the full history below.

After emerging from the swim just 20 seconds ahead of France's Jeanne Collonge, Gossage would arrive at T2 just over five and a half minutes in arrears, as the multiple winner of the tough Embrunman sought to gain her first victory on the iconic mountain of Alpe d'Huez. It looked set to be a head-to-head battle for the top two spots, as Parys Edwards (third two years ago as part of a British podium sweep that day), arrived a further 14 minutes later. 

The run course, at the top of Alpe d'Huez, provides the added challenges of both altitude and it's often off-road surface and thus is never going to be a 'fast' run. Could Lucy use her run spped to close down that gap? Not this time. While she was able to close around 90 seconds over the French athlete on the run (1:32:39 vs. 1:34:10), that still left a four minute gap at the finish line. Edwards completes the podium trio, like Gossage, matching her position at the same race two years ago

Men

The men's race saw a trio of James Cunnama (RSA) - winner in 2010 - plus the Belgian pairing of Sven Van Luyck (fourth last year) and Timothy Van Houtem arrive at T2 locked together, over four minutes clear of their pursuers. Cunnama would prove the strongest on the run to add another win at Alpe d'Huez, leading home Van Houtem by two minutes, with Van Luyck clear in third to complete the podium.

Alpe d'Huez Long Course Triathlon - Thursday 28th July 2016
2.2km / 115km / 22km

British and Irish podium success at the Alpe d'Huez Long Course Triathlon

• 2016: Lucy Gossage - SECOND, Parys Edwards - THIRD
• 2015: Emma Pooley - WIN - REPORT
• 2014: Catriona Morrison - WIN, Lucy Gossage - SECOND, Pary Edwards - THIRD - REPORT
• 2013: Ritchie Nicholls - WIN, Eimear Mullan (IRL) - SECOND - REPORT
• 2011: Catriona Morrison - WIN, Tamsin Lewis - THIRD - REPORT
• 2010: Jodie Swallow - WIN - REPORT
• 2009: N/A (won by Nicola Spirig and Massimo Cigana)
• 2008: Chrissie Wellington - WIN - REPORT
• 2007: Chrissie Wellington - WIN, Stephen Bayliss THIRD - REPORT

Click here for the dedicated Alpe d'Huez Triathlon section on Tri247