Favourites Dominate In Timaru Heat
As expected the Timaru round of the Contact Tri Series was dominated by Bryan Rhodes (Taupo) and Nicky Samuels (Wanaka), with both winning by comfortable margins in stunning conditions today.
However, despite leading from start to finish, neither would describe the race as easy with blistering heat greeting competitors the Contact Trophy and the Contact 3:9:3 events, a direct contrast to the rain in Wanaka of a week ago.
Rhodes rare appearance on the Contact Tri Series was a perfect tune up for Ironman Malaysia next month, where he hopes to win for the third time.
“That was one tough race out there today. The hot temperatures were perfect with Malaysia in mind but it made for hard work today. I was reasonably conservative on the swim and came out with 2 or 3 other guys and then went to work on the bike.
“I was riding well until I hit the big hill and the legs didn’t appreciate that, nor did I help things by taking a wrong turn at one point with Aaron Barclay going past me. It did fire me up though and I worked pretty well from that point.
“The run was tough and a great workout at some high aerobic levels but man I need some speed! But overall I am delighted and that is a perfect race at this time 4 weeks out from Malaysia.”
Samuels won again, her third in succession on the Contact Tri Series after Whangamata and Wanaka and as she did on those occasions, she blitzed the women’s field.
“Racing while training through is tough and I felt it again today. This will sound a bit weird but my arms felt heavy in the swim, my legs tired on the bike and I struggled on the run. Having said that I am not ‘race’ fit yet, that will come later in the season.
“I’m enjoying the new programme with new coach Mark Elliott which at the moment involves very little swimming and surprisingly some speed work at this time of the year but things are going well and I’m enjoying it. Obviously the big goals are the ITU races and new World Championship series later in the year but it is great to win again today.”
World number 33 Samuels is living proof that you never stop learning, as she works on new techniques in both her bike and running work, in part to alleviate the injury problems of last year.
“We are working on some technique work to adjust the way I am riding and running so that is also taking some getting used to. But it is important if I am to avoid some of the injury issues of recent years, especially the pelvis problems that wrecked the second half of last year.”
Second in the men’s race was Aaron Barclay (Gore) with
In the women’s race while Erin Ohara (Palmerston North) was third, delighting partner and coach Bryan Rhodes with her work, in particular a quick bike split that was second only to Samuels.
Contact Trophy 1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run
Contact Trophy Men Swim Bike Run Total
1 Bryan Rhodes Taupo 22:06 1:03:06 38:23 2:03:35
2 Aaron Barclay Gore 21:58 1:04:43 38:10 2:04:50
3 Ross Smith Christchurch 22:02 1:06:13 37:02 2:05:17
Contact Trophy Women
1 Nicky Samuels Wanaka 24:18 1:08:11 40:09 2:12:38
2 Julia Grant Ashburton 27:37 1:13:34 42:27 2:23:38
3 Erin O’hara P Nth 28:13 1:11:22 44:29 2:24:04