With this race acting as the Junior World Champs qualifier, I’d built on developing the areas which put me further back at Bristol last month, and between then and now had made some of my best progress I’ve seen, coming into this race confident I’d done my good bit to come into the race ready and prepared.
Unfortunately, blue green algae made the triathlon a duathlon, and so swimming wasn’t an option, and the World Champs criteria sort of disappeared, became more discretionary and based on other races and factors.
Knowing this would put me at a bit of a disadvantage with just one spot to Worlds left, focusing on racing at the front became my the goal still, and executing a quality race.
Race Distance: 2.4k run / 21k bike / 5k run
Location: 📍 Mallory Park Racing Circuit
Conditions: Wet 🌧️
Being further down the start list I was called up later, and started a few rows back, but pushed on up the field quickly and was at the front 400m into the race, and held position up there into T1. Taking the first run in 6.58 and 2.57/km pace.
Onto the bike and with 7 laps of some tight and longer sections I tried to make sure I was toward the front early on to make sure I was in the front groups and no breaks went. The first 3 or 4 laps were good then I had to do a big pull at one point back to the 5 in front and then tried to sit in a bit to recover in our now group of 10, away and gaining time. A crash in the 4th wheel, two ahead of me, meant the 3 elite guys got a chance and got away, and then was kicking myself for being too far back and missing a great opportunity, so moved back up on the last 2 laps and then got into T2 well, and joint lead from our group.
Starting the run was tough but I was out with the two other Juniors in my group holding on for the first kilometre. Then trying to throw up I lost some ground but still kept trying to keep the gap as close as possible, ending up throwing up on the hill, then feeling better. I pushed to close back the gap to 5th elite/junior and 2nd junior and made the pass with 1.5k to go. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to close the gap for the win, coming just under 10s short, but getting my best national series performance this season, 2nd junior and 5th elite/junior.
The relay the following day was another solid performance, taking the last leg and my team pulling a strong shift to set me up in a close two way battle for the win. An attack went on the bike which I reacted to immediately but getting that earlier little jump it was hard to close. With fatigue setting in and a short 1k run to finish, I gained a couple seconds back but wasn’t quite enough to pull back for the win, and we took 2nd to the South West region, just over 5s behind.
Good to take two silvers but always hard coming 2nd, kicking myself at times, and thinking what could’ve been done for the win.
I’m happy to be racing at the front again, and look forward to the next opportunity with the Senior British Super Series Grand Final, in Wales, next weekend, for some more fast racing.
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