Smashed At European Championships

The European Duathlon Championships on Saturday night were very disappointing. I fluctuated on and off the lead pack on the run until the middle of the third lap (of 4) before getting dropped and then ending up in the third group on the bike (1st run 34.21 33rd place 1 min behind the leader).

Fortunately, multiple world champion Benny Van Steelant and another Belgian, Bart Aernouts were behind me on the first run and Van Steelant dragged us up to the main chase group. This group of 20 was not working very well in pursuing the lead group of 15 athletes and the next 20km were pedestrian as the lead group continued to build a massive lead. With 5km to go on the bike, I made a break with Aernouts and we entered transition 2+ minutes behind the lead pack but with 25 sec on the chase group.

Dissapointingly, my calves cramped up as I entered the transition area and after trying to run it out, it seized right up and I needed to stop to stretch and release it. By this stage I was back in 30th odd place and the whole pack had run past. I didn´t find any rhythm on the last run but managed to force myself past a few runners to salvage as respectable a finish as possible. In the wash up I finished 26th and my world ranking for the year will be 21st.

I traveled from Rimini, Italy to Switzerland with the Swiss National team and then met up with my mate, Paul Mackay and his girlfriend Severine in Basel. I arrived pretty depressed with the performance but some discussion with Paul we decided a few things:

A few rides through the Swiss Alps soon had me looking ahead to my next race. I am looking forward to putting in a big effort at the Milton Keynes Duathlon in London on the 22nd.

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