WCS Race - Yokohama

Another first for me again this season with my first start at Yokohama for round seven of the ITU World Championships Series . I was pretty nervous going into the weekend with all the big guns racing and staying with the other Australian members. I went into the race wanting to have a good swim and no expectations for the ride and run.

The swim was a two lap course and I looked at the start line before race day and wanted to start as far left as possible, as it was the shortest distance to the first buoy. I was shocked to see Daniel Unger start on the far right furthest away from the buoy. This meant I got a better position as other athletes ranked higher then me chose to start near him, which was stupid in my view. The start horn went and I had a great start and tried to get clear water in the first 150m. Managed to get the first buoy on the feet of first person and felt good in the water. Josh Amberger went to the lead on the way back after the second buoy. I just sat on his feet comfortably for the rest of the first lap and second. Exited the water equal first and headed to T1 with a long run to transition.

Managed to get onto the bike first and work my way out of transition. A group of about 10 athletes formed and I was struggling from the first straight to hang onto the front bunch. I felt as though I didn’t have the strength in my legs. It wasn’t a matter of lack of fitness. The body felt really good, but coming out of corners I didn’t have the strength in the legs to keep up with the bunch. I.e. the stop and go. I found myself off the front two bunches (formed later in the race) on my own riding for about half a lap until Drew Box crashed from the front bunch and got back on his bike near me. We rode together for the remainder of the bike and almost got caught by a little pack behind us. Had a decent T2 and set out for the run. My legs felt super heavy for the first lap with the other guys who come into transition with me put a gap into me early but managed to build into the run and catch a couple. I started feeling a lot better on the third and fourth lap but still have a lot to improve on. I would of liked to see how my form was racing against the best if I didn’t have to knee injury for the last 6 weeks. But injuries are apart of the game and they happen.

I was happy to race my first World Championship Series race in Yokohama in the hot and humid conditions. It has given me a taste of what I want to race in the future!