Just watched the pro races of the duathlon worlds in Newcastle yesterday, and a couple of things suprised me. First of all, the course was a great pro venue, 4 laps on the 10k run, 6 laps on the hilly, technical bike, and 2 more for the last 5k run. Many pro triathletes were in attendance to race along with the pure duathletes, and they had their way with them. The womens race packed up about 7 or 8 riders who all finished together, and it was 3 Britons all sprinting in the finish shoot together. The winner, Michelle Dillon used to be an Aussie, but didn’t make the sleection of their federation. SO this world gold goes to a Briton, and a triathlete. The mens race was a bit more packed, as 18 riders formed a lead group on the first lap of the bike. There was a slight break fo 4 runners, but they couldn’t get together and get a break going. Too bad because this was a perfect course for a break. Lots of turns and twists, with a couple good climbs to boot. Benny Vansteelant was agressive along with an unknown aussie rider, and eventually the pack broke up into a lead group fo 11, and a fast falling behind group of 7. I witnessed a couple crashes, both from riders pedaling through tight corners. Both got up and going again, but were relegated to the 2nd pack now. At the end of lap 5, Benny took a flier and gained a 10 second lead, which is his usual move I’m told, but halfway through the last lap he was swallowed up. That’s when Paul Amey counter attacked, and incredibly built a 40 second gap on the main field, and 20 seconds on the unknown aussie chaser. Greg Bennet chased hard, but Paul was either on a sucide mission, or feeling good. Tim DOn won the race of the chasers, but Paul would hold off for the title, another New Zealander who couldn’t make the cut of his selection committee, and now wins for Briton. Don rounded out the quinella for Briton, while a Spaniard took the only other podium spot. So the pure duathletes had a tough day, while the trathletes dominated. On a side note, two of the U23 racers raced with the leaders, one was Benny’s brother. Possible a good crop coming up for the aging duathletes. Full results of the race and the AG’rs should be up on the race website by now. Sorry I don’t have the address…
On another note, how do these athletes from down under just change countries, seems as easily as we change our clothes??