Featured on 2010 World Duathlon Championship Press Release

Howdy Folks

The ITU website http://www.triathlon.org/ has just been updated with the launch of the 2010 ITU World Duathlon Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland and the selected photo to promote the event features me pushing in front of the late and great (8 time World Champion) Benny Vansteelant from Belgium.

The direct link is here http://www.triathlon.org/?call=TVRBMg==&nwsid=2518 (photo attached). It really captures the essence of Scotland and brilliant race venue at Holyrood Park.

Regards

Radar

OUCH....GP 4 Team Time Trial

The 4th French Grand Prix, a 2.5k run/15km bike/2.5k run Team Time Trial, was a show of force for the Mulhouse MEN IN BLACK.

Basically of the 5 athletes in each team, 3 have to cross the finish line together. We had a great team, consisting of World LD Duathlon Champ Joerie Vansteelant, ITU Short Distance Bronze Medallist Sergio Silva, Tommy Degham (4th French Duathlon, 5th French Triathlon Champs 2009) and Belgian up and comer Nic D'Harveng.
After finishing the first run 6 sec in defecit to leaders Marville, we went to business on the bike and Tommy absolutely ripped the course apart. We dropped Sergio and Nic after 2k and covered 15.5km in just under 20 minutes......In the last 8k of the bike I could not get around Tommy or Joerie as we jetted the straights at 50+ k/hr to average 46k/hr+ for the distance. We posted the equal fastest final run to take a dominating victory and I must say the format and race was really sensational. A great finish to the campaign.
Flying home today and can't wait to be reunited with the family

Regards
Radar

RIP VIC NOLAN

I am shocked and deeply saddenned to have just heard the news that my first ever running coach, Vic Nolan has quietly passed away in his home.

Vic was an outstanding man, of the old fashioned style, direct and to the point. He could never be accused of being politically correct! He always coached for free and for over 40 years has coached hundreds of youngsters for the pure love of athletics. Many of his athletes have won State Championships, National Championships and represented Australia in International Competition.

But as one of his most famous quotes went:
"I am never satisfied, if I were satisfied you could sack me!"

So he continued coaching to the end. His trademark stopwatch and whistle resounded out the window of my Physiotherapy practice as he continued to coach his young athletes between 4 and 5pm Monday to Friday at Willetton Reserve. He never missed a session and remembering what he put me through I would always smile at the quick humour and hard yards he used to put the youngsters through.

As an athlete, he achieved multiple State Championships himself and narrowly missed selection for the Commonwealth Games. He was also often confused with the great Emil Zatopek due to his balding scalp and hard, grimacing technique. He always used to comment "if you haven't fed the crows you haven't run hard enough".

Vic was truly a great man and his generousity and passion will mean that he has made a lasting imprint on hundreds of young lives he touched and helped to develop, showing them an understanding of the benefits and rewards of commitment, hard work and discipline.

I feel lucky to have benefitted so greatly from knowing him. He gave me far more than I could ever have given him back. He opened my eyes to the size of the athletics world, my personal abilties, to the opportunities sport presents and played the greatest role in making me the athlete I am today.

He will be greatly missed and may he rest in Peace
Thanks Vic

Training in Clermont and Chaumont

Been tough being away from Sebastian and Lianne this week.

Besides training I have been very bored so turned to watching MTV and practising dance moves.....I have been working hard in my favourite frequency range and some of the old magic will be coming back for a handful of weddings later this year!

The training has been big on volume and lower intensity, partly to rebuild base after so much racing and also to let hamstring mend and strengthen it up again.

This weekend we have the French Grand Prix in Chaumont over the Team Trial Super Sprint Format- 2.5k Run/15k Bike/2.5k Run- this will be very intense and hopefully Mulhouse can get our first win for the season

After that, flying out of Paris Monday and can't wait to get home Wednesday

Regards
Radar

Spiezathlon

Howdy Folks

A quick update from today's race which was held in a beautiful central Swiss town, Spiez, right near Interlaken. The lake and Mountain backdrop was fantastic and so was the course, a 5km/20km/5km over rolling Swiss Countryside.

On the eve of the race, due to extensive travel I crammed my bike and run tune up surges into one day (usually spread over 2) and unfortunately my hamstring spasmed up on me again and I could not run faster than 80% without it shortening. I would not normally race, but due to the support I have recieved from Swiss Cannondale and Wildcats www.wildcats.ch and the fact that I missed the last Swiss Cup race in Zofingen I decided to execute a controlled race and consciously work within my constraints. This resulted in a 3rd place finish.

I definately do not recommend this to athletes in normal circumstances and it is not a noble way to perform as an athlete.

Big thanks to the Wildcats and Cannondale Swiss, especially Cedric for their support and lets hope I can hit all future Swiss races with a full head of steam

Regards
Radar

Spiezathlon and New Sponsor

Greetings all,

The Interview (In French from www.triathlonetduathlon.fr) from last wek is here

http://www.triathlonetduathlon.fr/spip.php?page=sommaire2&id_article=10422

I am back on the Cannondale Slice for the final two races of the trip- the Spiezathlon Swiss Duathlon Cup this Saturday and then the Team Trial at Cuincy French Grand Prix on July 5th. I am staying with Mulhouse director, Patrick Sanchez's house and the training through the forrest has been brilliant andthe rolling countryisde nice for getting reacquainted with some time trial work. The TT work is also important for the Australian Duathlon Champs and Oceania Duathlon Champs which are both non drafting events this year.

In other news, I am just about to announce a new sponsor which fits perfectly for both parties. It is a product that is becoming more common that I have found to be of significant performance benefit in racing and training. Should be announced before the end of the month.

Will update after Spiez which sees me get a test against Powerman World Champ and ITU European Champ, Andy Sutz

Regards

Radar

Cuincy French Grand Prix, TED Interview

Well this was a very dissappointing result on the weekend, only managing 13th place. The race was held in the North of France in Cuincy and started at 8pm at night. The runs were 5km cross country and the bike 30km flat and very fast. Unfortunately, our team had only 3 athletes after the mid race withdrawal of Joerie Vansteelant and therefore we had to be conservative on the bike after hauling ass the first half trying to find a break . In the end, 5 guys went up the road and we had to play it safe and wait for the final run. My transition again let me down and it is something I need to consciously work on in prep for the World Championships, it is not just the 6 or 7 sec you lose but the lactic acid you accumulate trying to haul the deficit back which compromises the rest of your second run. I felt strong but couldnt get back in touch with the lead group which I was hoping to shake up. I was 45 sec down on first (9th fastest 2nd run) and the top 20 were all within 58 sec of the winner so that gives some indication of the depth and margin for error here. The team did very well to control the damage and we finished 2nd on team classifiction which cements our position in the overall classification.

Mid week I also did and interview on www.triathlonetduathlon.fr in the lead up to the race. It is a great website and recieves 1000 unique visitors a day so plenty of interest in Tri and Du news over here

Little Seb and Lianne have headed home today to try and get a routine back and I am looking forward to the next 2 races before heading home to get working towards the World Champs

Keep punshing

Radar