sexta-feira, 20 de fevereiro de 2009

Contact Tri Series - Takapuna (Auckland) NZ 09


Kris Gemmell and Andrea Hewitt win Takapuna Contact Cup

21/02/2009 7:09:59 p.m.

GEMMELL AND HEWITT PRODUCE STUNNERS AT TAKAPUNA
Andrea Hewitt and Kris Gemmell were victorious at the Takapuna Round of the Contact Tri Series today, Hewitt winning from a fast finishing Sam Warriner and Gemmell out sprinting Laurent Vidal (France) and young star Ryan Sissons (Auckland).
The Auckland weather cleared as racing got underway at just after midday with the Contact 3:9:3 beginner races, with sellout fields enjoying the closed road criterium style course, lined by supporters and fascinated shoppers in their thousands.
The good weather proved a sign of racing to come with the women’s Contact Cup race a duel between the world class athletes and some aspiring Kiwis.
On the bike a group formed that included Hewitt, Warriner, Lisa Norden (Sweden), Kate Roberts (South Africa), Rebecca Spence (Auckland) and Kate McIlroy (Wellington).

But confusion at the transition from bike to run saw Warriner, Norden and Spence ride too far, emerging on the main course before turning and retracing their steps some 200m to the transition area.

By now Hewitt, Tanner and others had cleared out, but Warriner showed her great determination by quickly gathering in most of the field to trail Hewitt, who lead at the halfway point in the run by 20 seconds.
It proved enough, Warriner’s amazing effort was good for second but over a short 4.65km she was never going to regain the lost ground on Hewitt with the Christchurch athlete delighted with her first race of the season.
“Wow, that was great. I enjoyed the course and the crowd and am thrilled to win. This was my first race of the year so I wasn’t sure how I was going to go but I felt great, especially on the run where I felt really strong.”
In the men’s race Gemmell and Vidal emerged from the 500m swim with a 20 second lead on the big chase pack and put their heads down to establish a big lead on the bike, but despite their best efforts riding a great road pursuit between the two of them, they could never quite shake the chasers clear.
In fact the bunch closed in right on transition, causing mayhem as some riders pushed too hard into the tight dismount area, leading to a crash which took out a number of contenders.
Heading out on to the run it was young Ryan Sissons who took the race to his more vaunted opponents, leading for most of the journey in front of a huge crowd, all enjoying a cold drink and something to eat in the many restaurants and bars lining the course.
Gemmell never let Sissons away though and stalked him throughout, finally making a move with 500m to go to win from Vidal with Sissons a brilliant third.
“That was a great race and a great atmosphere, what a day. Laurent and I certainly did it the hard way on the bike but once we were committed we had to keep going. But we couldn ‘t stay away from what was a huge bunch and it all closed up at transition.
“Once on the run I just stayed with Ryan and kept an eye on Laurent, biding my time. I made a move up the hill away from the beach for the last time but heard my (new) coach Chris Pilone telling me ‘just calm down’ so I backed off a little being so early in the season. But I had plenty left and was able to kick clear but well done to Ryan and to Laurent, it was a great race for the crowd and a good one to win.”
Contact Cup Elite Women
1 Andrea Hewitt Chch 53:15
2 Sam Warriner Whangarei 53:39
3 Kate Roberts South Africa 53:58
4 Kate McIlroy Wellington 54:08
5 Debbie Tanner Auckland 54:09
Contact Cup Elite Men
1 Kris Gemmell Palmerston North 48:26
2 Laurent Vidal France 48:29
3 Ryan Sissons Auckland 48:35
4 Martin Van Barneveld Wellington 48:48
5 Ben Pattle Auckland 49:01
Docherty a late withdrawal but Gemmell and Warriner head star fields

20/02/2009 5:08:06 p.m.

DOCHERTY A LATE WITHDRAWAL THROUGH INJURY
World number two triathlete Bevan Docherty is a late and reluctant withdrawal from tomorrows Contact Tri Series race at Takapuna.
In a good news bad news scenario, Docherty was forced to pull out of the live televised event just 24 hours after world number one women’s triathlete Sam Warriner confirmed she would be on the start line.
Docherty’s injury is not serious, but at this early stage of the season he has taken a cautious approach.
“I had a small neck strain that I was compensating for and unfortunately this has tweaked my ribs and caused a minor cartilage injury. I am erring on the side of caution with this sort of an injury, they can go one way or the other but at this stage of the season with such a big year ahead I can’t afford to turn a minor strain into a major injury concern.”
“It is annoying, I was looking forward to racing Kris (Gemmell), Laurent (Vidal from France) and some of the other New Zealand guys on a circuit that is set up for excitement and fast racing.”
World number four Gemmell equally down that his good mate was not able to make the start line.
“We are both disappointed he is not racing. I wanted to go out and take him on and win; now it is me who will have the target on the back and be the one the others are all chasing.
“Nonetheless I think it will be a great race and on this course anything could happen. It is tight and technical and yet will be very fast so concentration will be at a premium. I’m sure some of the others in the field will see it as a chance to grab a scalp or two.”
Frenchman Vidal carries an ITU world ranking of 11 into 2009 after a string of strong performances at World Cup races, he too is looking forward to it.
“I have enjoyed New Zealand and Christchurch since December, training here for the summer. Tomorrow will I think be a very exciting race, a good one for the athletes but also for the people watching.”
The women’s race by contrast has benefited from the late entry of Sam Warriner. The world number one has decided her recovery has gone sufficiently well after winning the Geelong 70.3 half Ironman a fortnight ago, that she is going to take on a quality field.
Included in that field is world number 7 Lisa Norden (SWE). Norden was a big mover on the ITU rankings last year, in the process picking up her first World Cup win.
“I am so happy to be here in Auckland, I have been here before but only for 24 hours in between flights. The weather is not so good at the moment but I’m sure it will be fine tomorrow.
“I have had an injury to overcome so have not done any real running for some weeks and I’m only just beginning that part of my training. But I am looking forward to it and seeing how I will go on this course.”
Also on the start line is Christchurch world number 9 Andrea Hewitt for her first race of the season.
“This will be my first start so it will be interesting to see how I go. I have been training well and of late doing some surf lifesaving as well so maybe it won’t be so bad if the weather is a little rough for the swim!”
Racing gets underway from 12.50pm with the Contact 3:9:3 for beginners and ends just on 6pm with the elite men’s race due to finish just before TVNZ crosses to its news bulletin.
There is a prize draw held at prize giving at R’Totos at approximately 6.30pm with all $25 purchases in Takapuna businesses during the day going into the draw for great prizes.
All course maps and information can be found at www.triathlon.org.nz

Sem comentários: