Hamburg, Germany, September 2: Daniel Unger of the host nation Germany stunned most triathlon experts and most likely himself as he won the 2007 ITU Triathlon World Championships in front of roughly 300,000 rabid fans. ITU World Cup leader and race favorite Javier Gomez from Spain finished second, and Australia’s Brad Kahlefeldt finished third.

82 elite men from around the world started the wetsuit legal swim in the Binnenalster Lake, and four athletes emerged slightly ahead of the pack at the end of the 1.5k swim. The four included American Andy Potts and Javier Gomez, but their efforts to gain an advantage on the 40km bike course were in vain. Stephane Poulat from France and a couple other athletes tried to get away during the bike segment but nothing would stick. After 40km of narrow and flat roads, roughly 50 athletes entered T2 together and pretty much all the favorites were included in that pack.

Before too long the field was whittled down, mostly due to the furious pace set by Brit’s Don and Clarke and by Gomez. With about 4km to go, a pack of 6 comprising of Gomez, Kahlefeldt, Unger, Whitfield, Frodeno and Clarke emerged. Soon though Gomez cranked up the pace and only Unger could follow. With 1km to go Unger passed Gomez and, inspired by the boisterous German fans, sprinted to the first Elite World Triathlon Champion title by a German.

Hamburg BG Triathlon World Championships – Final Elite Men’s Results:

1. Daniel Unger (GER) 01:43:18
2. Javier Gomez (ESP) 01:43:22
3. Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS) 01:43:36
4. Simon Whitfield (CAN) 01:43:40
5. William Clarke (GBR) 01:43:45
6. Jan Frodeno (GER) 01:43:57
7. Terenzo Bozzone (NZL) 01:44:04
8. Stuart Hayes (GBR) 01:44:07
9. Bevan Docherty (NZL) 01:44:22
10. Tim Don (GBR) 01:44:27