North Coast 2006 Winter Duathlon Series Race 3
Sunday 2nd July 2006

Another ripper Sunday morning at Honeybush Drive. Lots of activity in registration as memberships for the 2006/07 season being taken. Three new members and two Duathlon debutantes stepped up for a crack at this tough little course. Welcome into the club Jason Lewis, Steve Waterman, and Roger Hales.

The season’s largest and strongest field so far greeted the starter. All got away swiftly with a group of five speedsters including Mike Wren, Barry Silverlock and Steve Gleeson shoulder to shoulder to take the early initiative. Elle Waterman and Elle Rice were both out fast leading the way for the women. The remainder of the field were vying for a good position to set themselves up with a good overall position coming into for the ride. Newcomers Roger Hales and Jason Lewis were working hard to settle into a rhythm and looked a little surprised by the early pace of the event.

With a blistering first lap of the run, Mike Wren blitzed the transition to be out on the bike course about 40 seconds ahead of the nearest rivals Silverlock and Heyes with several of the clubs top athletes in hot pursuit. It was good the see Paul Covich back on the track looking strong and in contention. It was also interesting to see Paul Heyes making a tactical change by stepping up to his racing bike this week.

Round the turn to complete his first of the 12 bike laps Wren was joined on the course by Roger Hales (a quality rider) and they both settled in and worked together to get the best out of the bike leg possible. It was also noted that Wren had arranged a support crew to count his laps (Kate Clark) so he cold concentrate on the real stuff. Covich, Hayes, Willison, Jamieson, and Silverlock had grouped together to reduce Wrens lead and were joined a lap later by Dave Norton who was riding strongly. With other riders coming onto the course, conditions on the track became cramped and it was to the credit to all racing that they were competing hard but fairly - yielding to faster competitors when called upon and talking to each other on the tight turns to avoid contact. The small number of spectators was enjoying the sight of three or four groups of tightly bunched riders putting in together.

In transition 3 Mike Wren flew off the bike and was already out through the run gate with his bike still swinging in its rack. Twenty seconds behind Wren was Heyes and Covich with a quick change but Willison and Jamieson struggled with changing shoes and lost vital seconds to those in front. Another twenty seconds further back Silverlock and Gleeson both looked fatigued with three tough laps of the 1.2km course ahead of them. The remainder of the field was starting to come through a further 30 seconds behind, Hales, Norton, Lewis and junior Bradley Brown all putting in good performances. Elle Waterman was the first of the women back out on the run coarse followed up by Ashley Davis they were both quick through transition and set up for good runs.

Leading by a handy margin at the completion of the first run lap, Wren looked to be racing on the bit and sending out a strong message he was going to be hard to run down in the race and the series. Willison with those long methodical strides had taken over in second place after passing Heyes. Jamieson, Heyes and Covich were now slugging it out having a three-man war. By now all competitors were off the bike and on the run leg for the last time with some interesting tussles were developing. Dave Norton and Norm Black both striving for supremacy over each other, Greg McIntosh, Michael Parrotte and Steven Fay pushing each other to see who was going to break under the pressure of the sprint for home - all great stuff to watch. Elle Waterman had continued her strong performance off the bike holding her lead, but Ashley Davis was eventually rundown by Elle Rice having a solid run after what may have been a lap or two more than she had planned on the bike (Sarah Black has offered to give Elle some advice on race preparation, especially after Sarah did 14 laps on the bike in last weeks race).

Mike Wren was the eventual winner in an incredible time of 34min 33sec - the fastest time this year. In second was Lee Willison with Paul Heyes in third (a podium finish in only his second event this season, well done Paul). There were a number of creditable performances on the day. Craig Robertson and Dallas Dunlop continue to improve, both caving out a PB. Our Duathlon debutantes Steve Waterman, Jason Lewis, Steven Fay, and Roger Hales all raced extremely well and will be putting pressure on the more seasoned competitors in weeks to come. Congratulations to the women, first home Elle Waterman in 42min 47sec, followed by Elle Rice second and Ashley Davis third.

All in all an excellent race, highlighting some of the rich talent within the club. Don’t miss some of the best racing you’re likely to see in while. Come down have a look or have a go, you’ll be glad you did. Next race is 08h00 Sunday 16 July at Honeybush. Be there.

For full results click here

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