Not many people doubted that she had her lungs, but before today's 146 km long race in the World Cup, there were doubts about how Lisa Nordén would manage the tactical part of the competition cycle at the elite level. It would turn out that the Norden took the transition with good looks and came in at 39th place in 3.38.25, just a second behind world champion Anna van der Breggen.

"I thought triathlon was hard, but I know in hell if this wasn't more difficult," said a smiling Lisa Nordén after the race.

Hanged on in the main cluster

During the line race in Vårgårda, Lisa Nordén positioned herself at the back of the main cluster during most of the race. At the beginning of the last lap, the Swede was run off, but the war managed to catch up. When it was spurted, Nordén couldn't really keep up the pace but came in the honorable 39th place, 42 seconds behind winner Marta Bastianelli.

- It is obviously impressive. Had the course been more hilly and with less deductions it would have suited Lisa better, said SVT expert Emma Johansson after the race.

Lisa Nordén, who is most recently coming off an SM gold in tempo, agreed:

- This is actually contrary to what I've been training before. In triathlon, it's all about keeping a high, steady pace. Here it is the pace changes and deductions that suit me worse. For a while I had cramps so that my legs stood out straight.

The World Cup competition in Vårgårda is part of Nordén's new venture on a bicycle and Nordén does not close its doors to participate in the World Cup in September.

- It's all up to Lucas (Persson, the league captain) but if I get the chance to stand in the World Cup in Yorkshire it would have been very fun, Lisa Nordén concluded.