Gatorade Queensland
The Gold Coast’s Drew Viles registered his first win of the series beating off a huge field, while 22 year old NSW recruit Keira Pride took out the women’s category of the Gatorade Queensland Tri Series at Robina this morning over the international sprint distance format, 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km.
Viles beat home promising junior Josh McHugh, pre race favourite Dane Robinson and winner of the last two rounds John Polson.
Just shy of his 19th birthday next week Viles was quietly pleased with his win.
“There won’t be any big celebrations with the next junior race coming up in Canberra next weekend.”
Following the swim leg a group of 8 formed including Viles, Josh McHugh, and Robinson. Polson missed the front bunch but was doing a lot of the work in the chase group but not making any time up to the leaders.
All eight charged into transition together with just 5km to run. Viles moved into the lead at the 3km mark from McHugh and with just 300m to go he kicked to take his first win in the series. McHugh held off training partner Robinson. Polson recorded the fastest run split of the day to grab fourth.
“I had a really good swim today and worked my way into the bike.
“That was a great confidence booster after World Champs last year, there was some really good guys in the field today and a lot older than me,” said Viles.
“We’re all looking forward to racing the elite series races, they are fantastic new formats,” he added.
After nearly giving the sport away last week Dane Robinson has found his passion for the sport again after chatting with super coach Craig Walton.
“He convinced me to see out the domestic season and I’m so glad I did. I lost enthusiasm last year but after today I’m keen as ever again and hope to do well at the Oceania Champs and next elite races to get a spot at the Mooloolaba ITU World Cup,” said Robinson.
The women’s race was also a tightly contested match up with Pride Melissa Trimms, Amy Roberts and Maddison Allen heading up the lead bunch. Trimms lead for the entire cycle leg while Sarah Crowley again missed this group and worked tirelessly to make up the gap over the four laps.
It didn’t take long for Pride to hit her stride and went to the lead after the first lap recording the fastest run split to take any easy win in the end. Crowley continued to claw her way back into the race on the run leg but the effort on the bike had taken its toll and she finished second, ending her two win running streak. Brigitte Fischer a regular in the series grab the final podium place today.
Pride couldn’t contain her delight at the finish line with the win.
“That’s incredible, I’m so happy, I can’t believe it,” said Pride.
Pride moved from NSW to Brisbane in December to train with some of our most promising juniors including Emma Jackson under the guidance of Stephen Moss.
Pride lost her mother early last year and the win today has given her confidence she has made the right move.
“I know mum is watching me, she would be so ecstatic with my win today.
“My goal is to make the Australian Under 23 team to compete at World Champs this year in Hungary.”
All these athletes will be competing in the first of the two race Elite Series.
The event attracted just over 1500 competitors taking part across the three distances.
The day also included the NAB Enticer Series for the not so serious (300m swim, 10km cycle, 2.5km run) and the increasingly popular Courier-Mail Kool Kids Triathlon for 7-11 years of age including a ‘first timers’ category.
A new era of future triathlon champions was seen this morning with Australia’s most decorated male triathlete Miles Stewart’s son completing his first triathlon along with swimming great Samantha Riley’s son.
Round 5 of the Gatorade Queensland Tri Series at Caloundra will also feature the first Elite Series race.
USM EVENTS in conjunction with the National Performance Director, Michael Flynn and National Head Coach Shaun Stephens devised the new two race series to provide strong competition for Australia’s junior elite, Under 23 and Elite athletes domestically as part of their training programme over some non-traditional formats.
The Caloundra Triathlon on Sunday, 7 February will be the first race n the series, athletes will contest an Enduro format, short supersprint distance triathlon completed three times in succession. Race 6 of the Gatorade Queensland Tri Series at Raby Bay on 28 February will host the second race to be held over the Triple Super Sprint format.
These races will feature current World Champion Emma Moffatt, National champion Courtney Atkinson and former world number one Brad Kahlefeldt together with our top juniors including silver medallist at 2009 World Championships and the youngest ever Noosa Triathlon winner Emma Jackson.
Overall Results – Male
- Drew Viles Tallebudgera 58:25
- Josh McHugh Alstonville 58:33
- Dane Robinson Mermaid 58:34
- John Polson Sorrento 59:00
- Charlie Boyle Mermaid Waters 59:05
Overall Results – Female
- Keira Pride Kedron 1:05:06
- Sarah Crowley Lawnton 1:05:37
- Brigitte Fischer Yaroomba 1:06:13
- Amy Roberts Albany Creek 1:06:32
- Melissa Trimms Northgate 1:06:48
