As we (and pretty much everyone else...) suggested in our Mooloolaba ITU Triathlon World Cup preview earlier this week, finding Spain's Javier Gomez at the front of the field come the end of the 10km run today in Australia was as expected, and there will certainly be tougher prediction tasks throughout the rest of the season.
While Richard Varga (SVK) and Benjamin Shaw (racing under the ITU banner) gained a 30 second swim lead over the remainder of the field - who all exited within 15 seconds - that proved to be of no material value in tactical terms.
On the bike, Great Britain's 2012 Olympian Stuart Hayes was in aggressive mood and after an early attack came to nothing, a second attempt in the company of Mike Phillips (NZL) did work and left the pair with a 45 second buffer at T2. Such a margin - after such an effort - wasn't going to be enough though, and Javier's fastest run of the day (32:36) left him with a comfortable winning margin of 21 seconds and a great start to 2013.
The USA's Matt Chrabot, a recent addition to the Darren Smith coaching stable secured by far his best result since his 2011 Huatulco World Cup win, while Aussie Peter Kerr proved that his form of the last six months could be reproduced at a higher level to round out the podium in third. He told ITU media: "That is my first World Cup podium and Gomez is class, to run with him for a kilometre and a half was fantastic, maybe he knows who I am now for future races, I couldn't be happier with today."
Taking fourth place, Ireland's Bryan Keane took his best ever ITU World Cup finish while Hayes held on to take eighth place after his efforts on the bike.
Mooloolaba ITU Triathlon World Cup - 16 March 2013 (Men)
Final Results - Elite Men - 1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
1.
Javier Gomez
ESP
01:54:32
2.
Matt Chrabot
USA
01:54:53
3.
Peter Kerr
AUS
01:54:55
4.
Bryan Keane
IRL
01:55:02
5.
Ryan Bailie
AUS
01:55:20
6.
Clark Ellice
NZL
01:55:23
7.
Tony Moulai
FRA
01:55:48
8.
Stuart Hayes
GBR
01:56:19
9.
Nick Kastelein
AUS
01:56:30
10.
Simon De Cuyper
BEL
01:56:38
Gomez cruises to Mooloolaba win
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Haug wins, Stimpson second in Mooloolaba
In advance of the ITU Mooloolaba Triathlon World Cup, earlier this week we said of Germany's Anne Haug "If she swims well... it could spell danger for the other 16 racers." Haug did lose time to the fast swimmers - but only 15 seconds - and a swift T1 put her quickly back in contention, which proved to be the crucial moment of the race as she went on to run away from Great Britain's fast improving Jodie Stimpson in the final kilometre to take the win.
After her win last month in Devonport, Stimpson is starting 2013 in the best form of her life and looks ready to step up her game and become one of the major players on the ITU World Triathlon Series this season.
Anne Haug (GER) continued on in 2013 where she left off last year, the 2012 World Triathlon Series grand final winner taking out the opening ITU World Cup of the year in a hot and windy Mooloolaba today.
Haug showed her strength on the bike and run to destroy a quality field, leavingJodie Stimpson (GBR) and local hopeEmma Moffatt (AUS) in second and third place with 2012 world number three Andrea Hewitt (NZL) in fourth.
Moffat had the locals cheering when she emerged from the swim leg in first place, in the process taking the US$500 bonus. She had good company though, with Hewitt, Rebecca Clarke (NZL),Natalie Van Coevorden (AUS),Simon Ackermann (NZL), Aileen Reid (IRL) and Stimpson (GBR) in the lead group.
Haug was a little slower out of the water but powered across the 175 metre run from the beach to the first transition and then the 60 metre gap to the leaders, ensuring she would not be left stranded in a chase group on the bike. Emma Jackson (AUS) and Maaike Caelers (NED) were not so strong though and settled into the chase.
That move by Haug was put in perspective just one lap into the seven lap 40km bike ride when the leaders came through over a minute clear of the chasers, a gap that would only get bigger as each lap ticked by, had the German not bridged early her race would surely have been over.
Little changed throughout the bike leg and as they headed out on the run it was Haug quickest through transition with the lead group of eight establishing a margin of over three and a half minutes over the chase group. It was an impressive ride from the leaders in the hot and windy conditions, the offshore breeze welcomed by the spectators but not the athletes.
The race was over however forSarah Deuble (AUS),Kathy Rakel (USA) andMikayla Nielsen (NZL), their brave effort to stay in front of the lead group was to no avail as they were passed on the final lap of the bike and under ITU rules, their day was over.
Eight quickly became four on the run, with Haug, Stimpson, Moffatt and Hewitt showing their class. First to drop was Hewitt, leaving three to fight out the medals with 5km to race. Despite the support of the home fans it was Moffatt who was the next to find the pace too quick, and the race was down to two.
Despite her renowned sprint ability, it was Haug who made the move with just over a kilometre to run, kicking clear of Stimpson to win her first ITU World Cup race, confirming her status as one of the sport's leading lights.
Mooloolaba ITU Triathlon World Cup - 17 March 2013 (Women)
Final Results - Elite Women - 1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run
ELITE WOMEN
1.
Anne Haug
GER
02:03:31
2.
Jodie Stimpson
GBR
02:03:53
3.
Emma Moffatt
AUS
02:04:24
4.
Andrea Hewitt
NZL
02:05:13
5.
Natalie Van Coevorden
AUS
02:07:03
6.
Aileen Reed
IRL
02:07:50
7.
Charlotte Mcshane
AUS
02:09:54
8.
Maaike Caelers
NED
02:10:52
9.
Annamaria Mazzatti
ITA
02:10:55
10.
Simon Ackermann
NZL
02:10:59
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San Juan: Starykowicz and Frederiksen victorious
Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and say "fair enough, I got that one wrong!". In the weekend preview ahead of today's Ironman 70.3 San Juan, predicting that
Andrew Starykowicz (USA), "will likely be looking to show the fireworks on the bike..." was a given, but doubting his run, and ability to hold off a significant quality field proved to be a big error, as the owner of the fastest bike split in Ironman took home the win.
For the ladies, there was no three-peat for 2011 and 2012 winner Kelly Williamson, as Denmark's Helle Frederiksen continued an excellent start to the year and further validation of her decision to 'go it alone' outside of the Danish Federation squad.
Men
With the swim making little impact on the main contenders, it was a different story on two wheels and US duo Andrew Starykowicz and Ben Collins went straight to the front of the race and put the power down. Collins may not be a familiar name here, but he can certainly ride a bike, the former ITU Age Group World Champion regularly leading the Hy-Vee 5i50 Championship event. He put down a blistering 1:58:06 to the 2:00:45 of Starykowicz, but both were way ahead of everyone else, with Betrand Billand (FRA) the next best at 2:04:17. "1:58!? It didn't feel that fast!" said Collins on Twitter.
Unfortunately for Ben he couldn't hold that form right to the end, finding himself taken away to medical around mile nine of the run.
Starykowicz though was proving doubters (!) wrong, and despite have two-time defending champion and former ITU Long Distance World Champion Timothy O'Donnell chasing, he recorded a 1:21:41 half marathon to secure a great victory.
Billard (1:17:49) got the better of O'Donnell (1:18:15) on the run to take third.
Women
The women's race was dominated by two names we are familiar with seeing on the ITU circuit. Helle Frederiksen (DEN) and Svenja Baslen (GER) reached T2 together and with a significant lead over the field with comfortably the two best rides of the day. That didn't seemto impact their run legs either where Frederiksen (1:25:38) proved quicker than Baslen (1:27:34) to take her first 70.3 victory. That defending champ and fleet-footed runner Kelly Williamson 'only' managed 1:23:04 puts the quality of their efforts after a dominating bike into perspective.
Ironman World Champion Leanda Cave finished sixth (4:26:42)
Pos
Men
Women
1st
Andrew Starykowicz(USA) 3:50:12
Helle Frederiksen (DEN) 4:11:35
2nd
Betrand Billand (FRA) 3:51:02
Svenja Baslen (GER) 4:13:24
3rd
Timothy O'Donnell (USA) 3:51:19
Camilla Pedersen (DEN) 4:19:00
4th
Romain Guillame (FRA) 3:52:52
Kelly Williamson (USA) 4:24:18
5th
Dirk Bockel (LUX) 3:53:53
Margaret Shapio (USA) 4:24:18
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Weekend roundup: March 16-17
For a while it looked like Stuart Hayes might have snatched a tactical win at the ITU Triathlon World Cup in Mooloolaba with his break on the bike and then a subsequent second jump away giving him an advantage at the start of the run with the big hitters back in the pack - but the power of Javier Gomez can never be underestimated and the Spaniard took the win 30 seconds clear of Matt Chabrot (USA). Bryan Keane (IRL) had an excellent race, he finished fourth, while Hayes hung in for eighth. The report on the men's race is HERE.
The women raced on Sunday and Anne Haug (GER) kicked clear of Jodie Stimpson with a kilometre to go to take the win but the pair of them were well clear of Emma Moffatt (AUS) and Andrea Hewitt (NZL). Ireland's Aileen Reid was sixth. You can catch up on the women's race HERE.
Full results are HERE.
Pos
Male
Female
1
Javier Gomez (ESP) 1:54:32
Anne Haug (GER) 2:03:31
2
Matt Chabrot (USA) 1:54:53
Jodie Stimpson (GBR) 2:03:53
3
Peter Kerr (AUS) 1:54:55
Emma Moffatt (AUS) 2:04:24
Elsewhere on the ITU circuit, the Sarasota ITU Pan American Cup race had another fine Irish performance with Conor Murphy placing fifth. Lawrence Fanous (JOR) was 13th and Graham Leitch was 26th.
Sam Gardner's 'retirement tour' seems to be working out pretty well and he's clearly caught up on sleep as he turned in the fastest bike at the Tagaman Triathlon on Saipan and finished third overall. Ben Allen (AUS) picked up yet another win, as did partner Jacqui Slack while Rory Downie got the better of Gardner for second place. Full results are HERE and there's a report HERE.
The second of the Salty Sea Dog duathlon series at Boscome was won by Tim McDowell (Votwo) and Joanne Smith, the shorter race was won by Ian Leaver (City of Salisbury R&AC) and Lisa Mortimore. Combined results are HERE.
Sunday's WTC racing kicked off with the Ironman 70.3 San Juan. In the preview we asked if anyone could beat the reigning champions (Tim O'Donnell and Kelly Williamson) and the answer was a pretty clear-cut "Yes"! You can read all about the race HERE. Leanda Cave placed sixth and Jodie Swallow appears not to have started. Full results are on the WTC site HERE.
Pos
Male
Female
1
Andrew Starykowicz (USA) 3:50:12
Helle Frederiksen (DEN) 4:11:35
2
Bertrand Billard (FRA) 3:51:02
Svenja Bazlen (GER) 4:13:24
3
Tim O'Donnell (USA) 3:51:19
Camilla Pedersen (DEN) 4:19:00
The full distance brigade were out in strength at the Ironman Los Cabos in Mexico and while Timo Bracht was clear of the field there seems to have been a major scramble for second and third with just 31 seconds separating Trevor Delsaut and Jozsef Major. Paul Amey was in third place at 25k, had dropped back to fifth by 36k and then disappeared off the radar completely. Tracking the women's race was made harder than normal as perennial podium placer, Erika Csomor, wasn't registering on the timing mats and the commentary team were having to try to pick sightings of her out of the age group traffic. Good job they found her as by 40k she had carved through the field and was 500m clear of Michelle Vesterby although that gap closed and by the finish her lead was less than a minute. Yvette Grice was a little off the pace on the bike and finished 12th.
Pos
Male
Female
1
Timo Bracht (GER) 8:26:48
Erika Csomor (HUN) 9:35:34
2
Trevor Delsaut (FRA) 8:33:26
Michelle Vesterby (DEN) 9:36:31
3
Jozsef Major (HUN) 8:33:57
Lisa Ribes (USA) 9:38:35
First in with a set of results on Sunday, not counting the ITU with their eight hour or so advantage, was the Winchester Duathlon where Ant Gritton was the overall winner while Cecilia Davis-Hayes's sixth place overall gave her the women's title. Results are HERE, the companion novice race results are HERE.
Not far behind was the new allabouttriathlons series of aquathlon races. The first one was based at the Surrey Sports Park in Guildford. Nearly 100 competitors took part and there are a couple of familiar names in the results so it looks promising for the next race which will be in the River Wey in June. Graham Bell had a comfortable overall win while Katherine de Rome placed ninth fastest to take the female trophy. Full results will be posted as soon as we get the splits.
With European Sprint Duathlon qualification status the Oulton Park Sprint Duathlon saw some pretty fierce competition in the sprint race - Peter Ellis (RAF Tri) took the win with a mere 15 second margin over Jimmy Kershaw (OO Tri). Samantha Anserson (Triks / Mi Racing) topped the women's field nearly five minutes clear of nearest rival Holly Ferrar. The standard distance event was won by Matt Moorhouse (Athlete Matters/Hewitt Cycles) and Sarah May (Calderdale Tri Club). Full results for both races are up on the StuWeb site HERE.
The Pembrokeshire Duathlon hosted the Welsh Duathlon Championships where Alex Matchett (The Tri Shop Bristol) and Catherine Marks took the respective titles. Full results are HERE.
F3's third round of Maxifuel Duathlons and runs at Dorney Lake must have been a tad on the wet side at times - walking the dog in nearby Windsor Great Park was decidely so! The standard distance event was won by Chris Nicholls and Aimee di Marco, the sprint race saw Rory Atkins take the win along with Vanessa Raw while Marcus Francis and Hollie Hindley topped the super sprint distance. Full results for all the races are on the StuWeb site HERE.
Looks like it was a weekend for top athletes to show up at events they might not have been expected at - Lucy Gossage probably had more than 100 metres to go to get home but the Monster Duathlon was certainly local for her. Last week's outing at the Cambridge Half Marathon certainly didn't slow her down much, the rest of the field were 4:30 adrift - a very impressive effort given that second place was Ballbuster winner and 2010 ITU Age Group World Duathlon Champion Vicky Gill. Phil Melling won overall. Results are HERE and we also have a report online HERE.
The Marlow Duathlon results show a win for Carl Ferri (Blue Door Cycles) just ahead of Chris Birch (eaststreetcycles) while Charlotte Harris picked up the female trophy. Reports on the web suggest that the conditions here were pretty grim with mention of people being treated for hypothermia. Skimpy tri kit in March - clearly not a good idea! The results are in a format that we can't easily process, you can see them HERE.
The Derwent Duathlon sent in overall results, splits will follow shortly and we will get them loaded as soon as they arive. Winners there were Rob Baldock and Christine Howard.
The regular over-winter series of races at the Gravesend Cyclopark saw victory for Jens van den Brande (Tri Sport Epping) and Claire Elms (Crystal Palace). Full results are HERE.
Saturday's Tramore Duathlon in Ireland was postponed owing to roadworks affecting the course and transtion area, a date for the event will be published on the Irish Triathlon site as soon as they have figured one out.
FULL WEEKEND RESULTS LISTINGS
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Corinne Abraham: Melbourne bound
I joked in the intro to last week's interview with Lucy Gossage that if there was a 'best breakthrough act' for 2012 in the UK triathlon scene, Lucy should have won it. Still true... though fair to say that Corinne Abraham (www.corinneabraham.com) would have been a serious contender too.
Corinne did three Ironman races last year, finishing fourth, third and third - including the bronze at Europe's biggest Ironman race, the Frankfurter Sparkasse European Championship. Read Corinne's report on that HERE. A far cry from her 'false start' DNF-impacted first Pro season in 2011.
This weekend Corinne lines up in Melbourne for the Ironman Asia Pacific Championship race, the 4000 point, $125,000 event headed by 2012 winner Caroline Steffen. It may have been a winter of "turbo-turbo-turbo", but she tells me "I expect to bike and run strongly - hopefully with the best!".
(All images © www.robholdenphotography.com)
What a difference a year makes! Around this time last year we spoke, you had one full season as a professional and, in results terms at least, it hadn't really gone to plan. Now, you start 2013 having finished fourth at Ironman Texas, third at the European Ironman Champs (Frankfurt) and another podium at Arizona – in a PB time. What a great year for you, you must look back with pride on that?
Absolutely - 2012 was kind of the year I'd hoped that I'd have in 2011! Even though the race results weren't there in my first year of being a professional triathlete, it was still a very solid year in terms of training which I will have drawn on through 2012.
I was impressed last year with your self-belief / confidence, even though the results you hoped for didn't happen in 2011 – but surely those results in 2012 must make it a lot easier to look ahead to the new year with an even more positive frame of mind?
Thank you - since starting out in long distance triathlon and more so since racing professionally, I've always been confident that my body is very capable of endurance sport. As athletes we do have a tendency to move the goal posts, sometimes even before we have achieved and reached the first ones, and I think that is what keeps us challenged. It certainly keeps me questioning what I am capable of and sometimes this makes us doubt ourselves - but by my way of thinking, it wouldn't be much of a challenge otherwise!
So Melbourne – it was almost certainly the strongest field outside of Kona last year, what are your expectations for your race this year? With the recent UK weather, have you been able to get in some 'warm' training in preparation for the Melbourne climate?
Yes, it certainly is a strong field, there are 18 Pro Females currently registered to race and I'm pretty sure this is the largest pro-field I've been part of. I'm having a tough time nailing down my expectations for this race. I always try and avoid a podium / top 5 / top 10 scenario in my mind as you really cannot control what kind of shape the other girls are going to be in, or what kind of a race they may have. I'm confident that I've done a lot of solid work over the winter and I expect to bike and run strongly - hopefully with the best! With regards to the weather, it has been turbo-turbo-turbo for me through the winter. No trips to the Canaries, Spain or warm weather camps for me, but I am fortunate to be staying with a homestay here in Melbourne so that has meant that I've been able to get used to the heat a bit, get over the jet lag properly and get some good training in before race day.
When you go to a race like Melbourne, with so many good athletes, do you look at the field and see who is racing – strengths / weaknesses etc – and try and work out possible scenarios, or is your focus on your race / your performance to allow you to get to the finish line as fast as possible? At Kona last year for example, the race was more tactical than in recent years with a lead group on the bike for much of the race.
It's funny you should ask that because I've just had a similar conversation with Meredith Kessler this afternoon! To me it seems that anything that you can know about your competitors can be used to strengthen your own mental position in the race. I'd like to finish the race having made good decisions (hydrated and fueled properly, well paced etc), but knowing the strengths, weaknesses and capabilities of the other girls can also help us make more informed decisions 'in the moment'. Should I go with her? Should I go past? Should I blow past? Is she likely to follow? Is she an über biker? Does she struggle in the marathon? Knowing some of the capabilities of your competitors can help to take some of the energy out of these decisions and help you to make them quickly and with confidence so that you don't have to spend the next 5k/10k/20k doubting yourself or questioning your decision. Of course to make such decisions, you also need to know yourself as an athlete, and there I think we are always learning!
Though qualified, you decided to pass on Kona last year for financial reasons – and then made a good start on 2013 points qualification with that Arizona result (plus Miami 70.3). A good result in Melbourne could all but qualify you for 2013… is Kona in October this year on your season plan?
Yes, at the moment the structure of the sport lends its self to making Kona the main performance goal. The hype and reputation of the race is second to none and while I was happy with my decision not to race there last year, it is the only race in the world where you will get all of the top contenders toeing the same start line. If you want to know where you stand, that will be the only opportunity to find out. Having said that, like all best plans, it is flexible!
Having raced in Kona in 2010 as an Age Grouper, do you have a nice checklist ready of things to do differently / better when you return as a Pro?
Well I think that it is fair to say that I already train very differently to how I did then, and I know more about myself as an athlete than I did then. But like I said before - we are always learning! In terms of where to stay and what to do when I was there, I was lucky in that I was able to share an apartment with a pro - Nick Saunders. Just being around someone who had been there and done it before, and had far more race experience than I generally, I was able to learn a lot. Knowledge that I've been able to use many times since and which I am grateful for. Unless you are part of a team or train with other professional athletes, you are very much going it alone and learning what you can along the way through your own experiences. Meredith Kessler is writing a book on this kind of stuff - www.lifeoftriathlete.com - should be interesting reading!
I know you are someone that always looks back on your races, analyses and then tries to develop further – when you sat down at the end of 2012 with your coaches, what areas did you set out to work on for 2013… and how has that gone over the winter?!
The swim. The swim. The swim. I'm finding it so very frustrating but remain confident that it is within my capability to improve… so I'm still trying! Likewise with the bike and the run, there is plenty of capacity there still to progress as well and we've made some good inroads through the winter months. Overall we have also maintained a long term goal of strength through to the end of the season and staying injury free as well as continuing to improve 'the numbers'. Softly softly catchee monkey!
Any news on the sponsorship front – hopefully a great series of results and higher profile might have helped open a few doors for 2013?
Indeed, but still very much on the look out! I'm now also working with Sci'con Technical Bags and Running Planet Geneva as well as Brooks Running (EU). Rob continues to provide huge amounts of support for what I do and without question I could not do it without him. I'm also very grateful to continue my working relationships with St Mary's University Clinic, Mailsports Swim Wear and Hammer Nutrition, as well as renewing contracts with Sailfish Wetsuits and Sigma Sport
Will we get to see you racing in the UK at all this year, as there seems to be a lot of new middle / long distance events being added to the UK calendar this year?
Honestly, my race calendar goes as far as Melbourne! While Kona is a main goal, I will be racing the Ironman circuit with a view to chasing as many points as is necessary. Depending on how well I go at the Asia Pacific Championships (Melbourne) will go some way to determining the rest of my racing calendar. Of course the financial side of getting to Hawaii will still be there, so I'll be chasing the money to some extent as well at some stage! As crude as it may sound, there is very much a business side to succeeding as a professional athlete.
Best wishes for the race, and look forward to reporting on it – and hearing about from you – after the event.
Thank you as always for your support. Hugely appreciated and come rain or shine on race day (Melbourne weather is known as 'four seasons in one day') I'll give you the low down and be sure to let you know if there is any insider scandal!
All images ©www.robholdenphotography.com.
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ITU announce record prize money for 2013 season
The International Triathlon Union (ITU) today announced that it will have the largest prize purse ever for the 2013 World Triathlon Series and World Cup events.
The total prize money for the World Triathlon series has increased by $182,000 (all USD), with the bonus pool up $70,000 this year to a total of $670,000. The increase makes the World Triathlon Series the richest series in triathlon with over $2.25 million dollars up for grabs.
The World Cup events also received a sizeable boost, with an extra $280,800 allotted for the eight-race circuit, bringing the total sum for the two series to just under three million dollars.
"Not only have we increased the overall prize funds for athletes this year," said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado, "We have also deepened the pool of how many athletes will receive the prize money at World Cup and World Triathlon Series events to encourage National Federations to send athletes to races."
Notably, the Auckland and Yokohama World Triathlon Series races will now award prize money to the top 30 finishers, as opposed to the top 20 as in previous years. Likewise, the top 20 athletes at the Ishigaki, Huatulco, Edmonton, Tongyeong, Cozumel and Guatape World Cup races will take home prize money, where as previously only the top 10 received compensation.
The PruHealth London Grand Final will offer a $280,000 purse to the winners, while the ITU World Champions will each take home an extra $10,000 from the bonus pool. An additional five triathletes will also vie for the bonus pool, as it will now include the top 35 athletes, as opposed to the previous top 30. However, while money has increased, race primes will not be offered at events this year.
The 2013 ITU World Triathlon Series opens on 6-7 April in Auckland, New Zealand. The series will touch down in eight cities across four continents and the 2013 ITU World Champions will be crowned at the iconic 2012 Olympic course at the Grand Final in London on 11-15 September.
PRIZE MONEY BREAKDOWN BY RACE
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Castle Combe goes long
A new standard distance duathlon will be launched at the famous Castle Combe Race Circuit in Wiltshire next month.
Home to the classic sprint distance duathlons, DB Max's Chilly and the Bath Amphibians Manic Summer Series, the circuit will host its first ever standard distance race on April 7th. An officially measured 10k run, will be followed by a 39k bike and then a final 5k run, all on the 'traffic-free' super-smooth tarmac.
There will be lap splits in both the 10k run and the bike section, so a great opportunity to test pacing ability and consistency.
'It's something we've been looking at doing for a few years now, especially with the increasing popularity of our Chilly Duathlon. Castle Combe always attracts the top duathletes as well as the novices and we wanted to offer them the chance to test themselves over a longer course.' - Tom Whitmore, DB Max
The race is being supported by bike-speed specialists, Kinetic-One (www.kinetic-one.co.uk) and there will also be a 10 mile Time Trial event on the same day.
More details and online entry available at www.dbmax.co.uk.
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Reading Half Marathon 2013 video montage
The month of March is always a busy one in the half marathon events world, with many athletes preparing for the major Spring marathons next month including London, Brighton, Paris and Rotterdam to name just four.
Last week our sister site www.run247.com was at the (very cold and wet!), Cambridge Half Marathon where we saw British and European Duathlon Champion Lucy Gossage (interviewed HERE) record a new PB despite the best efforts of the weather to finish third, while former British Cross Triathlon Champion Ian Leitch took second in the men's race. Full video highlights from that event are available HERE.
This past weekend was the Mizuno Reading Half Marathon, one of the biggest running events on the UK calendar. We were there... and once again it was very cold and wet! Familiar multisport names among the top finishers included Dave Mitchinson (15th, 1:08:05), Mark Couldwell (19th, 1:09:23) and Freya Martin (1:20:16). We also know of many other triathletes of all abilities taking part in the race - so if you ran, or you know someone that did - check out our "13 miles in 13 minutes" video montage of the event.
Mizuno Reading Half Marathon 2013 (CLICK IMAGE TO WATCH)
If you like your running as much as your triathlon, do check out and follow Run247 on these links:
www.run247.com
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Hillingdon Spring Sprint Duathlon this Sunday
The first event of the year in another packed calendar of events from Hillingdon Triathletes (www.hillingdontriathletes.co.uk) takes place this Sunday (24th March 2013) with their Spring Sprint Duathlon.
The event takes place at Hillingdon Cycle Circuit, Minet Park, Hayes. The circuit is a purpose built, traffic-free road circuit (approx. one mile in length), and thus provides a great and safe venue for athletes and spectators. Athletes of all standards are expected and welcome - if you are new to the sport, the traffic-free nature of this road circuit is a great way to start. A short circuit means you are never far from the start/finish and on your own either!
There is an adults race (2 miles / 10 miles / 1 mile) starting at 8 a.m. followed by Tristar/Youth races for all age groups from Tristart (<8) through to Youths (15-16). Free parking on site, changing facilities and a cafe are available.
Online entries are still available on these links:
ADULTS
TRISTAR/YOUTHS
Entries will be available on the day - however a premium will be payable, so athletes are strongly advised to make their entries online in advance.
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Tom Lowe: Melbourne bound
Tom Lowe burst onto the British Long Distance Triathlon scene in November 2010 when he set a then British Ironman record of 8:11:44 when finishing third at Ironman Arizona. 11th in Kona a year later suggested Tom was ready to move into the big league on an international level, but 2012 proved to be a frustrating year after that opening to his Ironman career.
Tom will be opening up his 2013 campaign this weekend at the Ironman Asia Pacific Championships, Melbourne in what is an exceptionally high quality field, and after several months of focus on his swimming in Perth this winter, Tom is eager to see how that benefits him this weekend.
Hi Tom, it's been a while since we chatted (June 2011) – I'm sitting here freezing in the UK, and you've been enjoying I believe, an Australian summer. How has the (our!) winter time been for you?
Hi John, thanks for the questions, it has been a while. I've had a very pleasant latter half of the winter thanks. I took a good break after Kona last year, spent a couple of steady weeks at Club La Santa in December, Christmas with Chrissie's family, an enjoyable New Year in Borneo and then arrived here in Perth on the 7th Jan to knuckle down for this season.
I'm not quite where I'd like to be fitness wise - although with no racing as yet it's a little hard to gauge exactly where I am right now - but at some point you've just got to put your head down and get on a start line.
I need to race one of the bigger Ironman's this year due to a disappointing race in Kona putting me way down the rankings so I've chosen to kick the season off at the Asia/Pacific Championships in Melbourne. The weather here in Perth has been fantastic, I sometimes have to hold back when chatting to friends and family back home as I catch myself starting to complain that it's a bit too hot with days at over 40 °c. That said, for training it beats a British winter hands down.
I believe you've had a particular swim focus this winter, joining Joel Jameson in doing some hard yards with Paul Newsome / Swim Smooth in Perth. What it a big decision to make that commitment – and how do you feel it has worked out for you?
It definitely was a big decision to come over here to Perth although to be honest I should've done it sooner. Paul has helped a huge amount and I'm eager to see how things go in the swim next weekend. His coaching style is very relaxed and he's extremely knowledgeable when it comes to stroke correction techniques as well as drafting the right type of swim sessions to get you swimming at your best.
You seemed to have a frustrating 2012 performance wise, when measured against the 11th place in your first Kona (2011) and of course that great Ironman debut (8:11:44 in Arizona, 2010) – broken hand / some Achilles issues / infections etc. How do you sum up the year from your perspective, as I'm sure you would have been hopeful / had expectations of much more at the beginning of 2012? Does that in any way help with motivation for 2013, to show what you really can do?
2012 was a disappointing year considering my previous two seasons. My debut Ironman is still my best in my eyes, on paper maybe not as strong as the 11th at Kona in 2011, but I felt great during the race and haven't had that euphoric high in a full distance race since then. 70.3 Muskoka was a good race last year, as was 70.3 New Orleans but that's it as far as decent performances go. It was an injury dogged season and although fracturing a bone in my hand may have added a couple of minutes to my swim time in Kona it certainly didn't play a part in the poor performance as a whole. I had the bike legs in training leading up to the race but they failed to appear on the day for whatever reason.
You've got Ironman Melbourne coming up and, as last year, a great Pro field lined up to race with the likes of Craig Alexander, Marino Vanhoenacker, Jordan Rapp, David Dellow, Sylvain Sudrie… how do you feel your form is coming into the race? Have you been able to maintain / develop the bike and run aspects given the focus on getting that swim leg nearer to the front guys?
It really is a deep field this year, personally I feel it'll be the deepest pro men's field outside of Kona. All of the southern hemisphere guys will be on form because they've been training for months and with top Europeans turning up, as well as Jordan Rapp, it's going to be a great race to watch and be part of. I've tried to maintain my run and bike training here, it would be pointless to come out of the water with a good time, for me, and then not have the legs in the other two disciplines. As to whether the bike and run have actually improved I'd say probably not, but I'm feeling strong.
There are going to be some super fast swimmers in Melbourne (Fettell, Sudrie and pretty much every Aussie…), with the work on your swim, do you have any particular goals for that element, e.g. to be within X minutes, or perhaps to come out with ‘bikers' such as Jordan Rapp, who are typically not at the sharp end of the swim field? Even Craig Alexander and Cameron Brown were three minutes off the swim pace last year, but went on to finish first and second…
The swim might be quite strung out this year, either that or you may have 3/4 guys actually get away early on and then the usual large main bunch. I don't want to predict a swim time, it's all very course dependent on the day, but I certainly want to be coming out of the water closer to that main pack. I'll be looking to get in a faster group than usual and I'll see who's around me in T1. If I'm on my own on the bike then so be it, I've ridden 180km a few times on my own now and am happy with my own company, as well as the ability to pace it right. I don't have to be as fast as the guys in the main bunch, it's just about sitting on the feet of the person who sits on the feet of the person who sits on the feet...!
Looking beyond Melbourne, with less points from Kona this time around, will you be targeting another Ironman in the summer – a return to Ironman Austria for the third time perhaps? You've watched Chrissie race at Roth several times – is that an event and a course you see yourself attempting at some point?
I'll see how Melbourne goes before I decide on a second Ironman branded event. If I need to do one then Kona is still the focus this year and I'll most likely look at Austria or Coeur d'Alene. If I have a great race in Melbourne and think that a couple of solid results at 70.3 over the coming months will get me into the World Championships then you may see me at Roth as it's at the top of the list of races I want to do at some point in my career. As triathlons go the organisation and support at Roth is as good as it gets. I can't speak highly enough of Felix and his team at Challenge.
Any news / changes on the sponsorship front for you for 2013?
For now there's one change on the sponsorship front this year. I'll be on Hed wheels which I'm very much looking forward to having seen first hand the excellent service and product that they provide their athletes. The rest is unchanged, TYR for apparel, Cervélo for bikes, Cytosport for nutrition, Compressport for compression and Fuelbelt too.
We've seen the likes of Sebastian Kienle, Marino Vanhoenacker and a few others really push the level of cycling in triathlon to a superb level over the last few seasons. Despite your primarily ‘running' background, I know you've always felt – and been able to show on occasions – a real strength in that area. Do you still feel there is a ‘bike monster' inside Tom Lowe, ready to be released?
There's some serious biking talent out there at the moment, and many of them can run extremely well off the bike too. I feel that there is a 'monster' in there somewhere and on the odd occasion it has shown itself a little but not at the bigger races. The strongest I've ever been on the bike was for the latter half of the 2011 season when I stepped up to full distance racing. It's a form that I fully intend to work hard to get back to in the coming months. For now though I don't think I've got the miles in my legs considering Melbourne will be off ten weeks of training. I can safely say that whether it be when I was racing duathlon from 2004 - 2007 or at Ironman Arizona, when I'm going well on the bike that is when I run my best off it.
Finally, you told me in June 2011 that “I'm confident that a sub-4.20 bike split and marathon in the low 2.40's is more than achievable at some time in the future.” Any chance we might see that this season… perhaps in Melbourne?!
I'd like to fulfil that this season, whether Melbourne will be the race I'm not sure, but the course does offer the chance to do those times if the conditions are right. I think the winner this year will have to ride very close too, or under, 4.20 and certainly run a 2.42 or quicker off the bike, again conditions permitting (fingers crossed for fine weather). And if I do Roth, then there's no faster course than that. Watch this space.
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Sam Gardner: Tagaman report
Having finished third (XTERRA Philippines) and fourth (XTERRA Saipan) so far on his annual Pacific tour, Sam Gardner collected another podium finish last weekend with third place at the Tagaman Triathlon, part of the annual Saipan Sports Fest.
Here is his report from the event, which just leaves XTERRA Guam this coming weekend - before the glamour (?!) of the Surrey Hills next month...
The third race in my four week spring Pacific campaign was the Tagaman road triathlon, 2.2km swim, 60km bike, 15km run.
I was very lucky that my wife brought out my Cannondale Slice TT bike with Enve wheels and Rotor Q-rings, as it makes such a difference having your own bike that fits (and is super fast and aero), as opposed to borrowing a bike from a local resident here.
It had been an interesting week before the race with Abi (my daughter), very jet lagged before last weeks race, and then getting a stomach bug all week. More sleepless nights all round, but luckily she was better by Thursday and what a difference a couple of good nights sleep makes for all the family. I (almost) leaped out of bed on Saturday morning at 4:30am.
Compared to the previous week, when I lost four minutes in a 1500m swim, I was very pleased to only lose three minutes here to the leaders in a 2.2km swim.
A slow bike transition, where I put on socks to protect the blisters on my feet and I started the bike conservatively. Keeping a nice high cadence and making slow steady progress through the field, I caught third place triple Olympian Olivier Marceau about 20km into the bike and was slowly gaining on the leading pair of Rory Downie and Ben Allen. I felt comfortable and in control, but the event is slightly longer than most XTERRA races, so I was careful with my nutrition and took a Maxifuel gel every 45 minutes and plenty of Viper energy drink too.
At T2 I had the quickest bike split, but I'd only gained 45 seconds back on the leaders and was still 2:45 back with the run to go, but I felt fresh. Again, maybe I was too conservative early in the run, as I tried to find a nice tempo, and only with 5km to go, when I was less than two minutes behind Rory did I start to push it hard. Coming around the final aid station, I could see Rory ahead and I knew the gap was closing, but it was too little too late and I finished four minutes down on Ben and a minute down on Rory.
The final event of this trip is next weekend is Xterra Guam which I've won three times previously, but on current form it'll be very hard to beat Ben and with the South African duo of Dan Hugo and Brad Weiss back in action, It'll be more fast and exciting racing in store, for sure.
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Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research: title sponsor Blenheim Palace Triathlon
As part of the continued partnership with Blenheim Palace, the renamed Blenheim Palace Triathlon today announced a new three-year title partnership with official charity partner Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research (LLR). The Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Blenheim Palace Triathlon is an IMG Challenger world event, part of the global media, entertainment and fashion company.
The Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Blenheim Palace Triathlon, which attracted over 7,000 participants last year, will take place on the 8th and 9th of June around the iconic palace grounds. In addition to being the ‘official season opener’, the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Blenheim Palace Triathlon is also the UK’s second biggest and most picturesque triathlon.
Since 2005, as official charity partner of the Blenheim Palace Triathlon, LLR have raised over £725,000 thanks to 3,700 competing fundraisers. The new partnership is a natural development for LLR, cementing the successful long-standing relationship LLR shares with IMG Challenger World across a number of their running and triathlon events.
As title sponsor and the official charity partner, Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research have a great platform on which to promote fundraising for their worthy cause.
Head of Sports Events at Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, Dan Solley, is delighted with the new partnership, stating:
“We have long been associated with prestigious and successful sports events including bikeathons, runs and walks. The Blenheim Palace Triathlon will be another fantastic opportunity for our unstoppable supporters to help us in our mission to beat blood cancer by raising crucial funds to stop people from dying and making patient’s lives better.”
James Robinson, IMG Challenger World Managing Director, said: “Our relationship with Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research is now stronger than ever. It is an amazing charity and a great fit with the Blenheim Palace Triathlon. We are proud to be working closer together and continuing our relationship to help beat Blood Cancer.”
Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research encourage as many people as possible to take part and raise money. In 2012, 700 participants fundraised for LLR as part of their ‘Unstoppables’ team and raised over £150,000.
One such ‘Unstoppables’ fundraiser, Chad Stather, chose to support LLR due to a recent first-hand experience of the importance of blood cancer research. Chad’s wife, who has battled cancer, has recently gone into remission and the outcome is now far more positive than first feared thanks to the advancements in medical research.
He said: “For the last year, Lymphoma has become integral to our family life. Every day we pray and hope that the knowledge being gained and research undertaken will improve the understanding of this illness and provide better treatments. I cannot emphasise enough how important this work is.”
“I participated in the Blenheim Palace Triathlon in order to raise money for this critically important charity. The event is being conducted primarily to promote and raise funds for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. As such, please do dig deep and donate as generously as you can. It is crucial that we get many more patients included into clinical trials so that more can get the necessary treatments that they require.”
Chad raised over £15,000, with more sponsorship still coming in. Their determined fundraisers will not stop until they've beaten blood cancer.
Fundraising pledge places for Sprint, Super Sprint and Team Relay distances at the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Blenheim Palace Triathlon are still available at www.blenheimtriathlon.co.uk
To keep up with all the latest news from the Blenheim Palace Triathlon, visit www.twitter.com/blenheimtri and www.facebook.com/blenheimtri
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Corinne Abraham's Trek Speed Concept
Having interviewed Corinne Abraham ahead of this weekend's Ironman Melbourne, the Asia Pacific Championships (HERE), we thought it would be appropriate to take a look at the bike that she will be hoping can take her to another Ironman podium finish. Yes, we know our readers do enjoy looking at bikes...!
Corinne will be riding the Trek Speed Concept supplied by sponsor Sigma Sport, one of the first 'super bikes' of the current aero era, and still one of the most desired bikes in every transition area in the world. Let's take a closer look at Corinne's bike.
(All images © www.robholdenphotography.com)
A relaxed Corinne Abraham with her Trek Speed Concept in Melbourne Harbour, looking forward to the Ironman Asia Pacific Championship coming up this weekend.
Corinne's ride features Rotor 3D cranks with a Quark power meter, combined with Q-Ring chainrings.
Just in case she forgets which bike is hers... look out for the name on the seat stays (pictured below). The kamm tail box (pictured above) will house the required spares, with the top-tube mounted bento box "a couple of emergency gels".
A worn looking Gatorskin tyre and the site of a turbo-trainer specific skewer tells you something... that these Bontrager Aeolus clincher wheels will likely be replaced for something even faster on Sunday, probably an 808/disc combination, though Corinne tells me "it has been VERY windy here on a few days, so I might be ridingthe Aeolus wheels yet..."
What it also says is... pro's do work their bikes very hard! So currently general grime, turbo skewer and grotty bar tape... "but yes, it will have its glad rags on by the weekend, and shiny white bar tape!"
A tri-bar mounted X-Lab torpedo cage up front (pictured above), combined with twin 'behind the saddle' cages via what looks like the X-Lab carbon wing (pictured below), will deal with race day hydration. The front cage will likely see a Speedfil A2 Aero hydration system added for race day. The three bottle set up is a change from Corinne's approach at Ironman Arizona, where she went for two bottles on the bike plus a special needs stop. "Try and eliminate that opportunity for an accident" is her thinking here - though she will leave a bottle or two at special needs in case of emergency...
The hidden 'in fork' front brake of the Trek Speed Concept add to its super clean and sleek look. No cables on show here.
The calm before the storm - time to relax before race day.
(All images © www.robholdenphotography.com)
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Doug Hall to target Vachery Triathlon and XTERRA England double
You can find out more about the Vachery Triathlon Festival and XTERRA England via our interview with race director Mark Davis HERE.
With £10,000 up for grabs at the Vachery Middle Distance and $15,000 at XTERRA England, we suspect that Doug Hall won't be the only British athlete targetting both races this Summer.
PRO triathlete Doug Hall is the first elite to target a unique UK double of competition at the Vachery Triathlon (21st July 2013) and XTERRA England (8th September 2013). As an athlete who can count a fourth at XTERRA Las Vegas and ninth at a recent Ironman 70.3 series race on his palmarès, Hall may be well suited to claiming a famous double victory this Summer.
Both races are held in the stunning grounds of the Vachery Estate located in Cranleigh, Surrey and Hall will be up against some stiff opposition for the title against the likes of Joe Skipper at the Vachery Triathlon and Ben Allen in the XTERRA race.
Doug Hall said on racing XTERRA England:
"You would not believe how excited I am to support XTERRA on home shores. XTERRA is without a doubt the most fun yet competitive type of triathlon racing, and with the beautiful Vachery Estate in Surrey combining a swim, bike and run on some of the best terrain England has to offer, you'd be mad not to sign up. I've raced XTERRA all over the world, but there is no place like home.
"The race organisers know how to put on a great race that combined with some world class action is going to make for one amazing experience."
Race Director Mark Davis said:
"We are really looking forward to seeing Doug race the course. He is a top domestic cross-country triathlete and we are looking forward to him racing against world-class opposition. To have him in the Vachery Triathlon as well will add a fascinating element to the mix."
Doug Hall is racing to win at XTERRA England and the Vachery Triathlon and commented further:
"Obviously a win on home turf would be amazing! But there are plenty of other top British athletes hoping to do the same thing! The competition will be extremely tough but it'll be the end of a long season and with so many top athletes from around the world in with a shout, a home advantage will most certainly help!"
International off-road series, XTERRA, returns to the UK for the first time since 2009 and will be raced on a course designed by top off-road athlete Sam Gardiner. The XTERRA England Championship event offers 40 qualifying spots for athletes looking to qualify for the world championships held later in the year in Maui, Hawaii.
XTERRA racing is fast and furious over challenging, but very fun courses that include off-road sections on the bike and the run leg. The XTERRA series is considered to be the pinnacle in off-road triathlon and attracts the very best in the world, yet it has a very warm and open attitude to newcomers. The race itself is set within the open grounds of the Vachery Estate, which provide a very welcoming setting for young families and supporters whilst you race it out in the spring-fed lake and stunning woodlands.
As well as the standard distance, the organisers are running a sprint distance event alongside so that all can try this fantastic race experience and course. There are further options that include a 6-hour endurance mountain bike race and open water swims which form part of the H2O open water series.
The Vachery Triathlon Festival (21st July) promises to be one of the biggest multi-sport events in the UK. It has attracted a quality international field drawn to the race by a large pro-purse and a fantastic course over the Surrey Hills – marked out as an ‘area of outstanding beauty’. The race offers all triathletes an unforgettable experience that includes a 1.9km swim in the private spring-fed lake, before joining the pro field on fast closed roads (covering an iconic climb to Leith Hill) before returning to T2 and heading out on a multi-lap 13.1 mile run through closed country lanes.
The event promises to offer something for everyone, with on-site camping within the Vachery Estate, an exhibitor’s area featuring the latest in triathlon gear and produce from local suppliers plus fun activities for all the family who will enjoy the great atmosphere and countryside whilst you race. Racers can choose to compete in either the Middle (half-iron) or Olympic distance races, either individually or as part of a relay. The organisers are also happy to talk to clubs about arranging special start waves for them to facilitate club championships.
The Vachery Estate is located just outside the picturesque village of Cranleigh in the Surrey Hills, only minutes from London and the motorways, M25, M23 and M3.
Head to www.vacherytriathlon.co.uk for more information and to secure your race place at the Vachery Triathlon Festival.
Find out more about XTERRA England and sign up to this race at the event website: www.xterra-england.co.uk
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The Wales Marathon 2013
I recently took a trip down to South Wales to meet Matthew Evans and Scott Powell of Activity Wales Events (www.activitywalesevents.com), to find out more about their marquee event, The Long Course Weekend (www.longcourseweekend.com).
The Long Course weekend is an 'iron-distance event over three days', taking place from 12th-14th July 2013 - and you can find out more about that in my chat with Matthew and Scott HERE.
The weekend though offers something for everyone, with different distance options on each day, with events appealing to swimmer, cylists, runners, duathletes, triathletes and more - take your pick from taking part on one, two or all three days - as well as enjoying the music festival, fashion shows, parties and more!
The third event of the weekend is The Wales Marathon (www.thewalesmarathon.com), which is day three of the Long Course Weekend, Sunday 14th July 2013. In this piece I talk to Matthew and Scott in more depth about the marathon - which is fully closed roads - and the half marathon which starts at Pembroke Castle and joins the full marathon as it passes.
I also chat to local Tenby athlete and multiple Long Course Weekend winner Oliver Simon to get some local knowledge of the marathon route, and his advice on how to deal with running the day after a hard bike ride on the Saturday.
The Wales Marathon - Sunday 14th July 2013
Preview videos of the Long Course Weekend events:
12th-14th July: The Long Course Weekend (www.longcourseweekend.com) - WATCH VIDEO
Friday 12th July: The Wales Swim (www.thewalesswim.com) - WATCH VIDEO
Saturday 13th July: The Wales Sportive (www.thewalessportive.com) - WATCH VIDEO
Sunday 14th July: The Wales Marathon (www.thewalesmarathon.com) - WATCH VIDEO
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Craig Twigg: Melbourne bound
Craig Twigg from Racetime Events / USN Race Team is one of three British Pro's racing the Ironman Asia Pacific Championships in Melbourne this Sunday, and having already interviewed two, Corinne Abraham and Tom Lowe this week, today it is time to focus on the Twiggstar!
2012 started well for Craig with a seventh place at Ironman South Africa, but then went downhill with several injury induced Ironman DNF's. Can he qualify for Kona this year? His incentive is...his wife wants to go there!
(Underwater image ©Jack Somerset, bike images ©crankphoto)
You are – we'll whisper it quietly (!) – a 'vet' in triathlon terms. Do you still feel that your best performances are ahead of you, and that you haven't reached your potential yet? Alexander and McCormack turn 40 this year, so I guess they still prove you can?
No need to whisper John, yes I am a vet, but an improving one! My best performances are definitely ahead of me. With my track record so far at Ironman I surely can't do anything else but improve. In Ironman years I'm still a relative newcomer and one that is still learning with every race I do. I haven't had the battering to the body that Ironman does, like a lot of the guys I'm racing against have. Also I'm still super motivated to go out and train, whatever the weather, because I haven't really achieved anything yet. And like you said, a lot of the top guys are on the older side and still winning. I never really think that time is running out or anything, to race at this level, I'm just getting out there and having a blast travelling and racing around the world!
You raced at a high level early in your triathlon career, had a few years out of the sport and then came back to competitive racing – do you think that helps now with your longevity and motivation to still push yourself and improve?
Yes definitely, when I first stopped triathlon it was because I had no motivation to go out and do the work, I'd completely lost the enjoyment side of it. So I stopped doing it, simple! I took about seven years out! When I started back I wanted to compete at Ironman and I didn't really know what level I could get back to or if I'd enjoy the training. Turns out I loved the training again. I won my first few races back which helped me enjoy it a little more ;-) I felt like a novice again and my motivation was, and is sky high! It definitely helps me to keep going because I had the time out.
Are you recovered from the injuries that impacted your racing in 2012? After finishing seventh at Ironman South Africa, you had DNF's at Ironman Switzerland, Regensburg and Wales – that must have been very frustrating, especially as your swim / bike performances in each of those had you well set, potentially, for some top finishes and potentially podiums too?
Very frustrating indeed. I had a good race in South Africa, in tough conditions, I thought that it was a good start to 2012 with Kona qualification the goal. I then got injured, and in hindsight I should have got it completely sorted there and then. But it happened in my build up to Regensburg but I wanted to race in Regensburg. I thought it was fixed with some pretty intense treatment and went and raced. Turns out it wasn't fixed.
Instead of taking a break I was so focused on qualifying for Kona that I just looked for the next Ironman I could race, which was Switzerland, entered, raced and the same thing happened. And that's how my whole season went right up to Wales, which I went to win, and when I got off the bike I thought I was going to win! Certainly in Regensburg there was a very good chance of a podium and Wales, like I said, there was a good chance of victory, which did make it all the more frustrating but it also has motivated me through the whole winter! After Wales I focused on getting my injury fixed and took a load of time out. That was my main focus pre-Christmas. Now I'm recovered from it and raring to go.
You've made qualifying for Kona this year your primary goal – is that an easy decision to make, given that the requirements (in terms of points qualifying), and the related costs – just of Kona alone – are not insignificant? Were there any thoughts of perhaps taking a different route, targeting other European and/or UK races, or is Kona something you really aspire towards?
Kona is where it's at! It's the arguably biggest and the most famous triathlon in the world. It's what inspired me all those years ago to get into the sport, watching the likes of Dave Scott, Mark Allen, Mike Pigg, Ken Glah (who still races there!) and all the other legends of triathlon. I've just always wanted to go and race there. I guess I could have made it a little easier on myself and focused on qualification as an age grouper, but everything I do, how I train, eat, sleep, prepare is as a professional, so I'm racing there as a professional. There are other races on my hit list like Roth and even some in the UK like the Outlaw that I'd like to do, but for now Kona is the focus. Plus my wife Marija really wants to go there so I've got to qualify! She's been kicking me out the door all winter when it's been raining or snowing reminding me that she needs to go on holiday to Hawaii.
You've got Melbourne, and then Ironman South Africa coming up early in the (UK) season – do you feel ready to perform well in those events and, given the recent weather, have you been able to get away to some warmer climates to get some miles in to prepare?
I haven't been away, I've toughed it out in our winter! It's been tough at times but I haven't missed any sessions. I totally feel prepared and ready, I honestly feel I'm at a completely different level this year. Everything in my training has gone great. I'm swimming faster than I have done for years, my numbers have been good on the bike and I'm a much stronger runner. I'm also totally mentally prepared to go out and race hard and put myself in the hurt box!
To put it mildly, the Melbourne Pro field is stacked… what are you hopes / expectations for the race? You've got some real pedigree on the bike and are a solid swimmer too – perhaps linking up with another Brit, Tom Lowe on the bike might be a strategy to hunt down some of the Aussie 'uber-swimmers' in the early stages?
Yea the field is stacked, it's going to be a cracker of a race. Like I said I'm swimming really well at the minute (for me) and I'm hoping to be a little closer to the leaders than I was during last years races. Whomever I'm with at the start of the bike hopefully we can catch the leaders together, legally of course! I don't know Tom but he is a mighty biker so if I'm with him I'll have a word to see if we can get together and work. I'm sure he'd welcome someone who's willing to work with him to get to the front. But as you know Ironman is a long day and you need to be careful during the early stages of the bike not to push too hard as it can severely damage the latter stages of your race. I just want to race to my best ability and wherever that puts me position wise, then that's were I am! I know this its going to be a full on fast race, I can't wait.
Aside from Kona, what are your aims in Pro terms – times / races / wins etc? Ironman Wales was won by Sylvain Rota, an athlete you beat at Ironman South Africa last year. Do you feel you have the capacity to win an Ironman, and is that a key goal for you?
Winning an Ironman is certainly a big goal for me. It would also be great to win Ironman UK or Ironman Wales as they are British races. Times aren't really a big deal for me, it's about positions!
(© crankphoto)
A quick look at your blog, and I see you've got quite a lot happening and some great news in terms of sponsors / supporters / race team etc. Can you tell us a little more about that, and how key that support is in relation to your objectives this year?
Yea it's been great. Firstly with the Racetime/USN race team, I raced for them last year as they had just started. Johnny, who runs the team, literally lives just around the corner from me so he knows I'm no slacker as he always see's me out training! He has put together a fantastic package together for us with some great products like USN nutrition, Sketchers trainers, Ashmei running apparel, ISM Saddles, Aquashere goggles, Zone3 wetsuits, compress yourself, sunwise sunglasses, power breathe, 1band id, magicshine lights and Bonk casual wear.
On top of that I managed to bag myself a bike sponsor with Holdsworth Bikes. A real old school British bike company with a fantastic pedigree in British road racing. They've been great, they've given me a really cool road bike to train on, the Holsworth Firenze and they've just made me a TT/Tri bike, the Holdsworth Triathelan which I'll be racing on this year.
A friend of mine set up a Retül bike fitting service in Leicestershire this year called Speedhub and he has set me up fantastically on both bikes, so hopefully the combination of the bike, the fit, and me on it we should see some decent power and speed!
Another massive bonus for me this year are two more personal sponsors whom are helping me out financially! This is huge for any pro athlete with aspirations of travelling the world and racing. They are two local Leicestershire companies, Dent Technique, who are motor vehicle dent removal experts and Easystep stair lifts, who believe it or not are stair lift specialists! Paul from Dent Technique and Mark from Easystep Stair lifts are friends and wanted to help me out and they have been great. I can't thank them enough!
But my biggest supporter has to be my wife Marija! Like I said she's motivated to go on holiday to Hawaii so has been literally been kicking me out the house to train!
Any plans for races post Melbourne / South Africa… or will it be a case of see where you are, and then re-assess?
Yea I'm going to see where I am points wise and take it from there. I'd like to do the ITU World Long Course Championships in France in June. I'd also like to do a few UK races but we'll see where we're at after South Africa and take it from there.
Thanks Craig, and good luck on a tough double of races!
Yea thanks John!
You can find out more about Craig via his blog: www.craigtwigg.blogspot.co.uk, and follow him on Twitter via @Twiggstar.
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Paratriathlon: 2013 ITU schedule
The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has announced the schedule for the 2013 ITU Paratriathlon season. The calendar will cover at least nine cities on five continents, and includes a series of international and continental races.
"Paratriathlon continues to rise in popularity, as evidenced by record high participation at the World Championships in Auckland last year," said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado. "As we look forward to the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, ITU is dedicated to hosting top-level international paratriathlon events."
This year, each Continental Championship race will also host a Paratriathlon Continental Championship event, with Oceania having recently hosted the first competition of its kind in Wellington. Paratriathletes are also expected to participate in the Paratriathlon Continental Championships in Asia and Africa for the first time ever this season.
Various International Paratriathlon Event races will be held in conjunction with the ITU World Triathlon Series. Similarly, Edmonton will welcome paratriathletes to race while also hosting the ITU Triathlon World Cup and the PATCO Junior Pan American Cup.
Athletes new to the sport of paratriathlon will have five races in which they will be offered official classification from a qualified panel of specialists. Paratriathlon rankings will be updated regularly after ITU races and upon receipt of each National Federation's national championship results.
The paratriathlon season will close with the World Championships in London as a part of the PruHealth World Triathlon Grand Final 11-15 September in what is expected to be the biggest paratriathlon event to date.
2013 ITU Paratriathlon season**
Paratriathlon International Events:
April 20: San Diego ITU International Paratriathlon Event, USA (Classification Offered)
May 12: Yokohama ITU International Paratriathlon Event, Japan
June 22: Edmonton ITU International Paratriathlon Event, Canada
Paratriathlon Continental Championships:
March 9: 2013 Wellington OTU Triathlon Oceania Championships, New Zealand (Classification)
April 27: 2013 Subic Bay ASTC Triathlon Asian Championships, Philippines
May 25: 2013 Agadir ATU Triathlon African Championships, Morocco
June 16: 2013 ETU Triathlon European Championships, Turkey (Classification offered)
June 29: 2013 Vila Velha PATCO Triathlon Pan American Championships, Brazil (Classification TBC)
Paratriathlon World Championships:
September 13: 2013 London ITU Paratriathlon World Championships, UK (Classification Offered)
**Please continue checking the ITU Paratriathlon calendar, as the event calendar is subject to change.
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Heavy Snow warning for Clumber Classic Duathlon
With heavy snow forecast for this weekend, organisers of the Clumber Park Classic Duathlon are doing everything they can to ensure that the event can still go ahead. However, there is a possibility that the event may need to be rearranged for safety reasons. A final decision will be made at 3pm tomorrow (Friday) afternoon.
The Clumber Duathlon is acting as a qualification event for the Great Britain Age Group team for the sprint and standard distance events at the 2013 ITU Duathlon World Championships in Ottawa, Canada in August. With this in mind, the event will take place on the alternative date of 11 May if the decision is to postpone Saturday’s race.
Organiser, Iain Hamilton commented: “We’re at Clumber Park today and still hopeful of the event going ahead. We are working closely with the park and local authorities to do everything we can. However, we are mindful that many competitors are travelling from across the country and that travel may become difficult if the forecasted snow arrives as predicted.”
All competitors will be contacted directly tomorrow afternoon to confirm whether the event will go ahead. News will also be posted on the One Step Beyond website, triathlon sites and British Triathlon. All competitors will be offered a transfer into the event on 11 May or the 2014 Clumber Park Classic Duathlon.
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Benson, Taylor-Brown head to Poland
Two of Great Britain's brightest triathlon prospects will be gaining full international honours in another sport this weekend.
As we reported two weeks ago, after impressive performances at the McCain Inter Counties Cross Country Championships in Birmingham, current European Junior Triathlon Champion and World Junior Duathlon Champion Georgia Taylor-Brown and 2012 British Triathlon Junior Triathlete of the Year Gordon Benson will be representing Great Britain in Bydgoszcz, Poland at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships on Sunday.
Benson (second in Birmingham), and Taylor-Brown (third) will both form part of six-athlete Junior / Under-20 teams in Poland.
BBC Two will show coverage of the championships from Poland at midday on Sunday, with additional coverage available via www.iaaf.org.
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Craig Twigg's Holdsworth Triath-Elan
We interviewed Craig Twigg yesterday, the third in our series of British Pro's racing at the Ironman Asia Pacific Championships in Melbourne on Sunday, having spoken to Corinne Abraham and Tom Lowe earlier in the week. We also took a closer look in detail at Corinne's bike, the Trek Speed Concept, but what will the Twiggstar be racing around the 122 miles this weekend?
Craig will be riding a familiar name from British cycling history, but perhaps a new brand to many in the form of this Holdsworth Triath-Elan TT bike, courtesy of a new sponsorship for 2013.
(All images ©www.crankphoto.co.uk)
A Corima rear disc / PRO deep rim front - both tubulars - fitted with Continental Sprinter tubs will be Craig's race day wheels, where he will be one of many athletes sitting on an ISM Adamo saddle. Zipp aero bars with the now very popular horizontal mounted 'between the arms' bottle cage.
Craig out for a recent spin on his new stead - he won't be needing quite so many layers in Melbourne this weekend.
I imagine that this will be the only Holdsworth TT bike in the Pro racks at the Ironman Asia Pacific Championships, so finding it shouldn't be a problem... but it's got his name on just in case.
A carbon FSA SL-K Light crank is at the heart of the drive train, with Craig using Rotor Q-Rings. Mechanical Shimano Ultegra does the shifting up front - no sign of a powermeter though.
Craig with his ride at a recent phot shoot with his Racetime Events / USN Race Team.
Nobody should mistake this aero helmet for theirs!
(All images ©www.crankphoto.co.uk)
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