Race Review: Duathlon World Championship (Pro/Elite Men)
July 30, 2006, Cornerbrook, Newfoundland, Canada
I had the opportunity to watch the Pro/Elite Duathlon World Championship the day after the age-group version that I competed in. Though the distances were the same (Run 10K, Bike 40K, Run 5K), the bike course was altered to include an extra-tough hill. The pros had the benefit of racing in dry but slightly windy conditions.
At least 50 men were introduced, alphabetically by country. The Under-23 elites were mixed in as well. The US had about eight guys total to cheer for.
When the 10K started, it was a full-on sprint down the hill. In no time, the lead pack of 20 or so had run 2.5K in 7:30. That's a 30:00 10K pace. What?! Nobody broke completely away during the 10K. The announcer said that 22 guys had gone under 32 minutes.
The draft-legal bike portion featured six loops with tough ascents and screaming descents. Tri-bikes and disc wheels are not allowed. Guys were sprinting out of the saddle — downhill! After two laps, a large pack had formed of about 20 riders, including Americans Kite and Thompson, with Jeffrey riding solo behind. The USA executives I was watching the race with hinted that Jeffrey might not be 100%. Belgian superstar Benny Van Steelant had already dropped out.
A little after the halfway point on the bike, three guys made a break: an Aussie, a Swiss, and Fausto Dotti from Italy. We'd eaten at the same restaurant the night before and learned that he'd ridden the Tour de France, the Giro, the Vuelta, and finished in the top 10 in a World Championship road race. Transition times separated the three as the Australian blazed into the lead, followed by the Swiss and the Italian. The chase pack was into transition and not willing to concede the podium to the front runners.
Two Belgians ran unbelievable 5Ks to take silver and bronze behind the Aussie, with the Swiss and Italian holding on for 4th and 5th. The Under-23 title went to a Portuguese athlete, followed by Belgian Aernouts who had won the race in Ohio earlier in the year.
The National Championships are fast, World's are unreal, but the pro division is a TOTALLY DIFFERENT LEVEL!
Another highlight for me was watching the race with USAT Executive Director Skip Gilbert, who talked openly with me about the sports of triathlon and duathlon at the age group, Olympic, and pro levels. He was very approachable in sharing his thoughts about current and future issues. I think we bonded because we're both former soccer goalies who tried playing professionally and know some of the same people. He's a good guy and I think USA multi-sport is in good hands.
I had the opportunity to watch the Pro/Elite Duathlon World Championship the day after the age-group version that I competed in. Though the distances were the same (Run 10K, Bike 40K, Run 5K), the bike course was altered to include an extra-tough hill. The pros had the benefit of racing in dry but slightly windy conditions.
At least 50 men were introduced, alphabetically by country. The Under-23 elites were mixed in as well. The US had about eight guys total to cheer for.
When the 10K started, it was a full-on sprint down the hill. In no time, the lead pack of 20 or so had run 2.5K in 7:30. That's a 30:00 10K pace. What?! Nobody broke completely away during the 10K. The announcer said that 22 guys had gone under 32 minutes.
The draft-legal bike portion featured six loops with tough ascents and screaming descents. Tri-bikes and disc wheels are not allowed. Guys were sprinting out of the saddle — downhill! After two laps, a large pack had formed of about 20 riders, including Americans Kite and Thompson, with Jeffrey riding solo behind. The USA executives I was watching the race with hinted that Jeffrey might not be 100%. Belgian superstar Benny Van Steelant had already dropped out.
A little after the halfway point on the bike, three guys made a break: an Aussie, a Swiss, and Fausto Dotti from Italy. We'd eaten at the same restaurant the night before and learned that he'd ridden the Tour de France, the Giro, the Vuelta, and finished in the top 10 in a World Championship road race. Transition times separated the three as the Australian blazed into the lead, followed by the Swiss and the Italian. The chase pack was into transition and not willing to concede the podium to the front runners.
Two Belgians ran unbelievable 5Ks to take silver and bronze behind the Aussie, with the Swiss and Italian holding on for 4th and 5th. The Under-23 title went to a Portuguese athlete, followed by Belgian Aernouts who had won the race in Ohio earlier in the year.
The National Championships are fast, World's are unreal, but the pro division is a TOTALLY DIFFERENT LEVEL!
Another highlight for me was watching the race with USAT Executive Director Skip Gilbert, who talked openly with me about the sports of triathlon and duathlon at the age group, Olympic, and pro levels. He was very approachable in sharing his thoughts about current and future issues. I think we bonded because we're both former soccer goalies who tried playing professionally and know some of the same people. He's a good guy and I think USA multi-sport is in good hands.
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