Fernandez and Seeger look powerful in Rio Maior - Race Walking Challenge

A lovely sunny spring afternoon greeted a strong pack of competitors in Rio Maior, for the second leg of 2006 IAAF Race Walking Challenge, in more than 20 degrees (no wind) of temperature, and that was the reason for the level of results obtained.

Men's Race

Francisco Fernandez, the 2005 World and 2004 Olympic silver medallist, took the title in Rio Maior in a solo race, controlling the other competitors, only slowing down during the last of the 10 laps, when his advantage dropped to 5 seconds. His time was slower than last year (1:19:02), but “Paquillo”, and his coach, Robert Korzeniowski, explained that it was because of “too much work at altitude, in the last few weeks.” They also said that they treated the race like a “hard training session for his goals": the IAAF World Race Walking Cup in La Coruña [13-14 May] and the European Championship in August. "My goal in Rio Maior was winning, no matter what the final time and I achieved it.”

In second place arrived the Russian Illya Markov, winner in 1999, who upped his rhythm in the last lap, dropping the Australian Luke Adams, who was second in the Commonwealth Games, in Melbourne (20 March).

In fourth place, just two seconds off his personal best (1:21:11) arrived Erik Tysse, NOR, in front of Haten Ghoula, TUN, and the 2005 Helsinki bronze medallist, Alex Schwazer of Italy. The best Portuguese was João Vieira (9th).

Women's race

Rio Maior is the home town of Susana Feitor, the 2005 Helsinki World Championship bronze medallist, and the crowd tried to push her to first place. But she isn’t yet in good shape (she came from altitude training, where she will return next Monday), and all the people watched a great competition between Margaryta Turava, the 2005 IAAF Race Walking Challenge winner (also winner in Rio Maior) and the German Melanie Seeger.

Turava forced herself into the lead, and carved out an advantage over the field but in the third lap Seeger caught her and they walked side by side until the seventh lap, when Seeger was too powerful and a tired Turava had to quit the race.

From that point, Seeger increased her pace and finished first, 45 seconds ahead of the Romanian Claudia Steff, winner of the first leg of the 2006 IAAF Race Walking Challenge. The Australian Jane Saville, the 2006 Commonwealth Games champion finished in third place.

“This win was a great surprise,” said Seeger. “It was my first competition after winter training and I didn’t know how good my shape was. So I came to Rio Maior, to see the pace of the others and improve myself to try winning. I’m very happy with that and I’m looking forward to the IAAF World Race Walking Cup.”

The best Portuguese was Susana Feitor, who finished ahead of Inês Henriques, in 6th.

The 2006 IAAF Race Walking Challenge continues on 22 April, with the Race Walking Grand Prix in Yangzhou, China, which will be followed by the Coppa Città di Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, on 1 May, before the IAAF World Race Walking Cup in La Coruña, Spain, May 13-14.

Men (20km):
1. Francisco Fernandez, ESP 1:20:36
2. Iliya Markov, RUS 1:20:41
3. Luke Adams, AUS 1:20:49
4. Erik Tysse, NOR 1:21:13
5. Hatem Ghoula, TUN 1:21:34
6. Alex Schwarzer, ITA 1.21:38
7. José Dias Velazquez, ESP 1:21:48
8. Giorgio Rubino, ITA 1:22:32
9. João Vieira, POR 1:23:22
10. Benjamin Sanchez, ESP 1:23:44

Women (20km):
1. Melanie Seeger, GER 1:29:15
2. Cláudia Steff, ROM 1:30:00
3. Jane Saville, AUS 1:30:23
4. Norica Cipean, ROM 1:30:38
5. Kristina Saltanovic, LTU 1:31:17
6. Susana Feitor, POR 1:31:43
7. Inês Henriques, POR 1:32:18
8. Sabine Zimmer, ALE 1:33:54
9. Elisa Rigaudo, ITA 1:34:23
10. Maria José Povés, ESP 1:35:14