Victoria's Gatorade Triathlon Series Race 2 Elwood
After the biblical weather experienced by the athletes in Race 1 of the Gatorade Triathlon Series all eyes were searching the heavens for a repeat performance by Mother Nature. Fortunately, grey skies were all that was going to hamper the 2000 strong contingent. A cool start to the day with a bit of breeze was all that was going to concern those that toed the line in the bayside town of Elwood.
Pre race it was a who's who of the triathlon world as Olympic Gold Medallist Emma Snowsill was there as a guest of one of her sponsors. Triple World Champ Peter Robertson was also on hand running in a team event. Likewise, Leon Griffin was there to swim for a team. Griffin confessed to being too underdone to race the main event but, like all triathletes, still looked fit. Jimmy Johnsen, third at Ironman Western Australia was also there. His race in WA an inspiration for those who still believe in riding off the front of major races. Emma Carney rounded out the big names in Elwood to take a look at the race.
The elite field was stocked with a top line of local talent with the main question being raised was whether Peter Kerr's round one win as a fluke or was he for real in the series. Kerr, ever the laconic figure, was confident going into the race. Former Series winner Kris McKartney was going to be a serious threat as was Brent Schuster, Tyson Mahon and Craig McKenzie. McKenzie is an interesting study. The former Ironman has now turned his attention back to the local scene after a brief sojourn into the world of Ironman racing which saw him take a second place at Ironman Louisville a couple of seasons ago as his highlight.
The women's field was lightened with Renee Lane racing the South Australian Championships. Lane, the race 1 winner, will be back though. Erin Ganglehoff was the favorite heading into the event alongside Madeline Oldfield. The outsider for the race was Elly Franks. Franks, a long course specialist the last few seasons, has scaled it back a notch distance wise this season and is finding her speed in this format.
The swim was expected with Peter Kerr leading out the field. Once he cleared T1 he was on the road and joined by McKartney. The two then set about the task of dropping the main field including McKenzie and Shuster and riding into a winning spot. The women's field saw Ganglehoff lead out of the water. She was joined on the bike by a hard charging Franks who was using her strength to her advantage. Franks knew a running duel with the likes of Oldfield or Ganglehoff would not be the A scenario.
Into T2 and the battle lines were drawn. Kerr was going to duke it out with McKartney and Franks was going to take on whoever crossed her path. She came into T2 with a minute gap on Oldfield and Elise Clayton with Ganglehoff not having her best day slipping to 4th.
Version 2.0 of Peter Kerr is a fleet footed athlete. The crowd watching has seen the Kerr power on two occasions this season and with his new found speed he ran in ahead of McKartney to make it two starts two wins and a good lead in the series. Brent Schuster came in for third with another consistent performance.
For Franks it was a case of just run hard and don't look back as she was being pursued by the relentless Olfield. Oldfield had a blistering run leg and was only narrowly beaten by Franks who took the honours in her first win at the Gatorade Triathlon Series. A well deserved win by Franks who must now be readjusting her goals to go out after the series. Elise Clayton was a great third and is a good young talent.
The first 2 women's races have been won by endurance athletes in Renee Lane in race one and Elly Franks in race 2. The speedsters have met their match so far. For the men's, the real talking point must be how to break the domination of Peter Kerr. Kerr is on song and seems to be getting better with each race. It is going to take a really strong bike to unhinge him in the next few races or the rest of the elites risk a series whitewash.
Results - Men
- Peter Kerr
- Kristian McCartney
- Brent Shuster
Results - Women
- Elly Franks
- Madeline Oldfield
- Elise Clayton
Highlights/Obsevations from Race 2
- Skin coloured bike shorts don't work... at all!!
- Dave Hansen ..ahem.. Santa Claus doing the rounds during the race.. good on ya big fella!
- Watching the 'Old Stagers' out and about including Tim Bentley and Magnus Michelsson. Check out Magnus' cool old school bike in the gallery!
- Phil Hanley's win, this guy is still flying and looked great today.
