Duathlon of Gernika

This past weekend was the Duathlon of Gernika. The field was very strong this year but at the last minute the withdrawal of World Triathlon Champion, Gomez Noya left the race wide open.
This event is without a doubt the most professionally organised duathlon I have done. The organisation is incredible and the media, community and athlete support is second to none. A full 45 minute TV highlights package is produced and the local newspaper does a special edition completely devoted to the race after each event. The crowd is massive on race day and the use of a percussion band on the run makes the energy electric on the run leg.

James Attard, fellow Aussie and I decided to wear "platform" bike shoes which mean you can ride in your running shoes. It is an effective startegy if the race stays together in one pack as it enables a 6-8 sec saving in transition which in a 2.5k run is impossible to close. Ultimately, the bike was decisive as a break of 3 went away from the main group of 13 riders and then the group further fragmented when there was some very attacking climbing late in the 27k bike.

Off the bike in 8th place with the top 6 20seconds plus up the road I felt very strong on the run but oly managed to pass Spanish Triathlon Champion, Manuel Tova and move into 7th. The running legs are coming good but unfortunately today's tactics did not pay off as would have hoped.

The race website http://www.duatlongernika.com/ will have results, photos etc shortly. The "Australian Team Video" is here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0ub86U03z4 and the official Race Video is here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzebJQMaeAI&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Etriatlonchannel%2Ecom%2F&feature=player_embedded

The next two races are in the Basque region and the second, Duathlon of Bilbao has a world class field and a very hard bike section with a 10k climb at up to 12%. Thereafter we will head west for the Zofingen Intervall Duathlon and European Duathlon Championships in Hungary.

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