The race started with Learmonth leading the 1500m swim from the first strokes, proving that she is one of the strongest swimmers in the field. While in the first lap she was followed by a group of three swimmers -Beaugrand, Sara Perez Sala and Anna Godoy Contreras-, in the second lap the quartet became a duo, with Learmonth and Beaugrand the only ones in front.Learmonth and Beaugrand exited the water together, with the two Spaniards 24 seconds behind them, and with a difference of almost 50 seconds with the large group of chasers, including Nicola Spirig. And off they went together while behind them a small group was immediately formed, but a crash involving Perez Sala, Angelica Olmo (ITA) and Lotte Miller (NOR) changed quickly the setup, with Spirig deciding to go solo to chase the British and the French.It was a matter of a few kilometers for Spirig to show her cycling power, even when riding completely alone, decreasing the difference with the leaders lap after lap. With one lap to go, the Swiss managed to rejoin the duo and attacked, to be followed only by Learmonth. By the end of the 40km leg, Beaugrand was 1 minute 57 seconds behind.With the race clearly looking as a three-persons game, the chase pack included really strong names such as Laura Lindemann, Claire Michel, Anna Godoy and Vendula Frintova.And right after the second transition, Spirig took control of the run leaving Learmonth in her wake. She proved that at 36 years old, after a 20-year career, two Olympic medals, five European golds and two children, she still has surprises up her sleeve. Behind them, Beaugrand looked too tired to try to chase them, and focussed her efforts on just crossing the finish line.By the end of the 10km run, Spirig finished line to grab the sixth european title of her career, after the ones she got in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015. Learmonth stopped the clock in 1:59:46, 33 seconds behind Spirig, to add a silver medal to the gold she got last year in the Europeans. And in third place came Beaugrand, followed by Lindemann in fourth place.#res_itu0
