Devonport Race Report + February Update

Long time betweens posts and race reports hey? Yes, yes I know I’ve been lazy but I’ll try my best to keep the posts more often into the future. To take your mind off my idleness when it comes to race reports I’ve got a new one hot off the press just for you. Enjoy.

Devonport Triathlon Race Report

As soon as someone utters the words "Devonport triathlon", those words are closely followed by the mention of North Street and the infamous hill that protrudes from the relatively flat surroundings. Of course anyone in their right mind would think that going up this hill more than once walking, let alone riding a bike up it would be as mad as a hatter. And so it'd seem fit that to battle it out for the title of Australian national junior champion we'd have to go up it four times on a 20km bike course as fast as we could after a 750m rough ocean swim, and then top it off with a 5km sole burning road run to finish it off. Nice way to spend a weekend down in Tasmania hey?

And we're off!
Credit: Kalmerimage

Battling up North Street
Credit: Kpalmerimage

Feeling fit, ready, and also having a bird crap on me the night before I walked down to the start line. I felt like I’d put in the hard work and hopefully had some luck on my side (isn't a bird crapping on you good luck?). After a swim that felt like more of a boxing match I exited the water a lot further down than I’d hoped to be on the leaders, seeing alot less bikes in T1 than usual, and so the chase was on. All the hill repeats I’d done leading up to Devonport were paying off and I was able to push through two packs and find myself sitting in the 2^nd chase group coming off the bike and into T2.

Bike in, helmet off and runners on I was flying out of T2 and onto the run. I felt great but that only lasted a few fleeting moments before everything came tumbling down like an avalanche of hurt. I couldn't match anyone for pace as one athlete after the other passed me and could tell I was paying for my effort on the bike. Finishing in at 28^th position I was initially pretty bummed with my race and overall performance. However after a few days to think it over I’m pretty happy with how I raced, aggressively and trying to give myself the best chance no matter what the odds were. This whole season has been about getting some draft legal racing experience and I’ve done that with a bunch of races under the belt and learning plenty.

What Next?

Today I competed in the Richie Walker Aquathlon, a fun vibed and well organised swim and run put on by Cronulla Tri Club around Gunnamatta Park. I always look forward to competing in the Richie Walker Aquathlon as it was one of my first ventures into the multisport world.

Next up on the racing calendar is the Elite Energy Wollongong Enticer to get some critical speed leading into the Mooloolaba Olympic Distance Triathlon up on the beautiful Sunshine coast. 

Until next time,

Ryan

Post Race - Watching the Elite Men/Women battle it out up North Street.
Credit: Kpalmerimage