Race Report – 20 February 2011 Duathlon – Queens Valley (3km run, 20km bike, 3km run).
26 Athletes took part in the 2nd Duathlon of the Jersey Triathlon Club series.
The field comprised a range of experienced athletes and competitors new to the multi-sport event.
The first run was one loop of Queens Valley, an undulating course which favoured GB Duathlete Bruno Francisco, who exited the run 6 seconds ahead of Nick Saunders.
Marc Nicole and Bomber Lee were also in the mix after the first run and headed out of transition and onto the bike together.
Doc Snook trailed on the run, but looked perfectly at home once mounted on the bike and looked set to win back places on the bike leg.
In the women’s race, Katie Thompson was a minute up on Sarah Corcoran and Sam Lee after the first run, but would need a strong bike leg to keep Corcoran and Lee at bay.
A little further down the field, seasoned duathletes were fighting for the top 10 slots, with Graham Horsley, Simon Roderick, Grant Twine and Simon Dowling all existing transition for the bike course in quick succession.
After the first lap on the bike, Saunders had established a comfortable lead, with Bruno settling comfortably in second place. Marc Nicole had his eye firmly on third place, but would need to work hard on the bike to keep Doc Snook away who was picking off competitors with ease.
In the ladies race, Thompson, Corcoran and Lee jostled for position and it looked set to come down to the final run to separate these atheletes.
The marshals and race organisers back at transition were having their own issues, when 2 geese decided to meander onto the course, in the path of oncoming cyclists! Fortunately, with a little encouragement, Darren Le Masurier and Craig Meredith managed to see them safely back to the reservoir!
Saunders was first home off the bike and didn’t let up the pace for the final run lap of Queens Valley. Francisco was close behind, but looked would just maintain second place. Doc returned home ahead of Nicole, but Nicole was determined to take back third place and looked strong as he exited transition onto the run.
The ladies race would be won and lost on the run, and Thompson began to pull away from Corcoran and Hill and establish a healthy lead on the lap of Queens Valley.
The main field came in off the bike and again, the higher points would be secured by the quicker runners. Roderick, Twine, Dowling and Lidster all posted good lap times on the run section, to secure high points in the overall league tables.
Saunders cruised to victory, followed by Francisco and Nicole, who managed to beat Snook to third place. In the ladies, Thompson had an awesome run to take the honours in the ladies division.
Big thanks to all the marshals, the race organisers, the honorary police and thanks also to the Parish for the use of Queens Valley and the Hougue Bie Circuit. The next race is 20 March 2011 at St Catherine’s Breakwater, newcomers and members welcome. For more details see www.jerseytriclub.com .