Bailey beats injury to land duathlon silver for GB

Based in the mountain village of Zofingen, the event comprised a 10k run, 150k bike and another 30k run.

With Bailey, 19, having moved up to the senior category, he knew it would not be easy on the hilly course.

After the 10k run, Bailey entered transition with 33min 55sec on the clock and in first place.

On the bike, each 50k lap had a 5k climb up a mountain called Bodenbourg which peaked at 1,600m.

On the third and final lap, Bailey was overtaken by Adam Milne of New Zealand. And after 4hr 25min on the bike, tiredness started to set in.

Hitting the run, Bailey set the pace. The 30k was split into two laps of 15k, climbing up to the top of a national park.

On the second lap, with about 13k to go, Bailey overhauled Adam Milne and moved into first place.

But with 5k to go, Bailey’s knee gave way and he collapsed. Bailey was on the floor for ten minutes with an ice-pack and medical help. He was overtaken by Belgian athlete Jan Baumgartner.

Now second and knowing Milne was close, Bailey got up and decided to hobble on.

Crossing the line in 7hr 23min 15sec with a sprint, Bailey took silver for Great Britain finishing only four minutes behind the winner and three minutes clear of third.

Bailey said: “That was the longest day of my life, but I’m extremely pleased with my result.”