firstoffthebike.com - Races

Gatorade Series Race 4 - Elwood

The normal cool morning air that accompanies most triathlon starts was replaced today with a hot jet stream from the North of the State. For those who lined up at the start of Race 4 of the Gatorade Triathlon Series the prospect of serious heat was becoming more and more real with every tick of the clock.

At 8.30am the elite wave kicked off and with it went some of the best talent in Victoria. 3 time World Champion Peter Robertson and 70.3 winner Leon Griffin were expected to be the front runners. The other athlete that was on the minds of the crown was Gareth Halverson. He was going to be the dark horse as he is a skilled ITU racer and had the previous form to win a round of the series. For series leader Peter Kerr it was going to be a tough ask to hang onto this bunch but it would prove to be a good test for the man who has won three straight.

On the women's side Madeline Oldfield was the raging favorite. Her win at the Victorian State Title was proof she had peaked at the right time of the year. Renee Lane and Elly Franks, both winners of a round this season, were also back along with young gun Erin Ganglehoff who was a winner last season.

With the pros in the water the rest of the 1000+ athletes were left to contemplate their races. The calibre of athlete that fronts to a Gatorade race is always high making for a fast day. With the wind picking up the nerves must have been going through the roof as the athletes knew they were in for a tough day. The headwind heading up to the runaround was a real test.

The swim finished with all the names where they should be. Series leader Peter Kerr was the pilot fish for the group and he was surrounded by Adam Beckworth with Leon Griffin in striking distance in 5th. Peter Robertson was also in the front group which must have been worrying given his run pedigree.

The women's race delivered its' first shock with Madeline Oldfield being dropped in the swim and off the back out of T1. The group up front was lead by Elly Franks who was intent on keeping Oldfield away from the head of the race.

Into T2 it was Leon Griffin who had taken the lead after a burst of energy at the 15km mark of the bike. The move was started by Peter Kerr who commented after the race that Griffin went by so quick he was unable to get on. The 30 second gap Griffin established was a telling gap. Griffin's efforts broke the bunch and showed a clear way to avoid the blocking strategies adopted by some of the elites in Race 3. Griffin's 'damn the torpedoes approach' was pure class and a move that signified his return to form ahead of Geelong 70.3. He is a beast of a bike rider when he is switched on.

With Olfield dropped the race was suddenly wide open. Along for the ride was 19 year old Elise Clayton. An unknown by all accounts she left T2 with the other top female pros and to put it simply, was never seen again. Clayton has a ripping run leg and unleashed this to smash the rest of the field and claim victory with one of the most impressive runs seen at a Gatorade race in the last few seasons.

A remarkable talent, Clayton heads to Coloundra and all those racing her should be wary. Running in behind her was Erin Ganglehoff and Renee Lane came into third.

For the men it was a case of catch me if you can as Griffin powered away to take an impressive win. Halverson ran himself into second with Peter Robertson a solid third. Series Leader Peter Kerr was fourth.

Men's Results

1. Leon Griffin
2. Gareth Halverson
3. Peter Robertson

Women's Results

1. Elise Clayton
2. Erin Ganglehoff
3. Renee Lane

Other highlights from Race 4:

• We're happy to report that the guy in the skin coloured shorts has finally abandoned them. From all at the race... THANKS
• Mark Rowe - came off his bike and then ran himself into 2nd in his age group. Way to go fella!
• Phil Hanley - Another race, another win.. yawn
• How hard the athletes went today.. the finish line looked like a triage area.
• Tim Bentley - How fast is this guy after so many years of racing.
• Gary McAllister - Gary has put so many kids into triathlon over the years. An amazing role model for the all the kids who he coaches.