Tucker envious as Avil triumphs

Tucker is saving herself for her assault on the Olympics

Wales' Olympic hopeful Helen Tucker was an eager onlooker as Team GB partner Hollie Avil won the British Triathlon Championships in Bryn Bach Park.

The Bridgend-based world champion, 24, sat out the event on a hot day in Tredegar as she goes to acclimatisation camp in Korea on Monday.

"I had a local race last week and I wanted a good hard week's training in before we fly out," said Tucker.

"But I must admit watching the girls out there I was envious."

Avil, 18, built up a healthy lead on her bike, then held on in the 10km run to see off challenger Liz Blatchford.

"This caps off an excellent week," said Avil. "I'm really looking forward to China and getting on that plane."

The men's winner Will Clarke, who held off GB duo Tim Don and Alistair Brownlee, said: "I can't believe it, I felt so good out there.

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"I wanted to win, but left my charge a bit late and Will was awesome," admitted Don, who forms Britain's five-person triathlon team alongside Clarke, Brownlee, Avil and Tucker.

The athletes now fly to the Korean island of Jeju for their Team GB preparation camp ahead of the Games.

The Olympic triathlon will be held at the Ming Tomb Reservoir, to the north of Beijing, on 18 and 19 August.