Will Belgian Hammers get a medal of honor tonight? Dirk Gerlo reveals the tactic | Olympics

Each triathlete has to swim, cycle and run a lot less time compared to the individual competition. Specifically, it involves a 350-metre swim, 6.8 kilometers of cycling and 2 kilometers of walking. That favors the more explosive types.

In addition to the physical aspect, in the relay, just like in athletics, a tactical aspect is also added. Who do you deploy when? “Normally, the competition is very secretive about this,” says commentator Dirk Gerlo. “National coach Nick Baelus spied during training to see who appeared on the starting pontoon while swimming.”

But there are few secrets among the Belgians, according to Gerlo.

“Claire Michel will be the first to start. She is a good swimmer and can swim better than Valerie Barthelemy in a group.”

“Second, then it’s on Marten Van Riel. If Michel is about ten seconds behind, then Van Riel as the best swimmer can immediately make up for that.”

Then it’s the turn Valerie Barthelemy. She is the better open water swimmer. She is a very explosive type and thanks to her complementarity for the mixed team, she has been awarded a professional contract. That she also performed so strongly individually was actually a surprise.”

“Finally, it’s on Jelle Geens. He has been able to concentrate fully on this repayment (due to his corona infection). Compared to the European Championships in Glasgow, where the Belgians won bronze, there is now 2 instead of 1.5 kilometers. That is in favor of Geens, a very strong runner. Those 500 meters extra might make a few places difference.”

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