Last season I had some good results and some pretty average results. Some were just really shit too. I finished the end of the year somewhat proud of what I had done, but also wondering how I was going to do better in the races that had left me underwhelmed. I came up with the simple solution that I needed to train more, & train smarter. I feel now that I've done that, I can actually compete at a level where I can get noticed. This started with my win in Singapore in March, and has now flowed on with my strongest showing in the 5150 series on the weekend in St. Anthony's.
I arrived into the USA 5 days before the race. Before I flew out, I had just finished a nice but subtly torturous 3 week training block and a short sprint race on the Gold Coast to cap off the training block. When I settled in Florida I gave myself a nice few days of sweet nothing, and felt fully rested for the race on Sunday.
Everyone's heard it on every platform on the netz, but I'll just confirm that St. Anthony's was a ripping field of pro's from all corners of the triathlon world. I knew it would be tough, but I was determined to consolidate my name as a big player, or at the least even somewhat of a player in non-draft scene. There ain't many young guys good at this stuff, but I knew it could be done.
The swim started smooth. I'm not sure why everyone likes to bunch together on the start line, but it's cool because it makes it a bit easier for me. I don't think I got touched the whole swim, and made my way into T1 by myself with a small gap over Cam Dye and 1K in my pocket for the swim prime. I'd already covered some of the cost to my trip from the prime so that was cool. These things for me are still about profit vs. loss (traveling to East Coast America from Oz ain't cheap), but hopefully I'm doing the right things to change that.
I laid down the pace hard on the bike from the mount line, and was touching 50km for the first few minutes but was joined by Cam Dye & Ben Collins a few miles in. When these two guys passed me with a gap to the rest of the field, I knew I was in for a good result if I could ride with them. Cam has won St. A's and podiumed in the past doing exactly what he was doing, and Ben Collins dominated the bike at Hy-Vee last year. To me, these two guys are the best non-draft athletes on the bike at the moment, and maybe even ever (seriously, check out their splits). Now I just read Ben Collins' report saying I didn't work the bike, but why would I/how could I when Cam is the strongest guy in the sport and is leading the race. I've been doing way to much work on the bike to let myself get dropped, so common sense would suggest to ride with the leaders. Deal. We all rode into T2 with low 53 minute splits ....Yeah doggy, this was my race to win!
I got on the asphalt and felt good. I took the lead at 1/2 mile and was holding good form. This is an out and back course, so you only get one opportunity to see your competition. At 5km, I had about 20 seconds lead from my two compatriots, but typically, Ospaly was running through the field and O'Donnell wasn't far behind him. The finish straight is about 1.2km long, and you can see the finish the whole way. I got caught by three guys in this straight and finished 4th. 4th doesn't get you a whole lot of publicity, so I'm a little disappointed I lost the win or the podium finish in the final minutes of the race, but also joyed that things are finally starting to go alright for me. This sport doesn't always reward those who work the hardest, but I think now I'm starting to get towards the better end, and keen to see what's going to happen for the remainder of 2012.
A sincere cheers to all who followed the race and complimented my result, it's nice to get recognition for the dedication that goes into this. And again, respect to Cam and Ben, these guys are slick athletes. When the old bastards all retire, these two names are the next in line. Hopefully I'll be in there too.
I'm off to Mehico now for the Huatulco World Cup. Let's see how I do at draft-legal!
I arrived into the USA 5 days before the race. Before I flew out, I had just finished a nice but subtly torturous 3 week training block and a short sprint race on the Gold Coast to cap off the training block. When I settled in Florida I gave myself a nice few days of sweet nothing, and felt fully rested for the race on Sunday.
Everyone's heard it on every platform on the netz, but I'll just confirm that St. Anthony's was a ripping field of pro's from all corners of the triathlon world. I knew it would be tough, but I was determined to consolidate my name as a big player, or at the least even somewhat of a player in non-draft scene. There ain't many young guys good at this stuff, but I knew it could be done.
The swim started smooth. I'm not sure why everyone likes to bunch together on the start line, but it's cool because it makes it a bit easier for me. I don't think I got touched the whole swim, and made my way into T1 by myself with a small gap over Cam Dye and 1K in my pocket for the swim prime. I'd already covered some of the cost to my trip from the prime so that was cool. These things for me are still about profit vs. loss (traveling to East Coast America from Oz ain't cheap), but hopefully I'm doing the right things to change that.
I laid down the pace hard on the bike from the mount line, and was touching 50km for the first few minutes but was joined by Cam Dye & Ben Collins a few miles in. When these two guys passed me with a gap to the rest of the field, I knew I was in for a good result if I could ride with them. Cam has won St. A's and podiumed in the past doing exactly what he was doing, and Ben Collins dominated the bike at Hy-Vee last year. To me, these two guys are the best non-draft athletes on the bike at the moment, and maybe even ever (seriously, check out their splits). Now I just read Ben Collins' report saying I didn't work the bike, but why would I/how could I when Cam is the strongest guy in the sport and is leading the race. I've been doing way to much work on the bike to let myself get dropped, so common sense would suggest to ride with the leaders. Deal. We all rode into T2 with low 53 minute splits ....Yeah doggy, this was my race to win!
I got on the asphalt and felt good. I took the lead at 1/2 mile and was holding good form. This is an out and back course, so you only get one opportunity to see your competition. At 5km, I had about 20 seconds lead from my two compatriots, but typically, Ospaly was running through the field and O'Donnell wasn't far behind him. The finish straight is about 1.2km long, and you can see the finish the whole way. I got caught by three guys in this straight and finished 4th. 4th doesn't get you a whole lot of publicity, so I'm a little disappointed I lost the win or the podium finish in the final minutes of the race, but also joyed that things are finally starting to go alright for me. This sport doesn't always reward those who work the hardest, but I think now I'm starting to get towards the better end, and keen to see what's going to happen for the remainder of 2012.
A sincere cheers to all who followed the race and complimented my result, it's nice to get recognition for the dedication that goes into this. And again, respect to Cam and Ben, these guys are slick athletes. When the old bastards all retire, these two names are the next in line. Hopefully I'll be in there too.
I'm off to Mehico now for the Huatulco World Cup. Let's see how I do at draft-legal!
Josh, congrats on a rippin' St A's race! Was pulling for you hard man! I am so looking forward to following your career as you are just a baby in the sport at 22 and are already putting fear into the old dudes. Your upside is unlimited. There really is no such thing as a limit, always remember that. Looking forward to seeing you ride the FLO Cycling wheels. My buddy and I were checking out your ride before St A's to see if you were rollin' on 'em yet. We bought a set too and it looks like they are on the boat heading to the US by the end of the month. Sweet! If you need a ride from the airport or a place to stay for next year's St A's, give me a holler. I'm feelin' top of the podium for you next year. Take care bro' and happy training/racing!
ReplyDelete-Joe (Tampa, FL)
Cheers Joe, I appreciate the words & hopefully I can indeed live up to your preconceptions!
ReplyDeleteI have to wait for my Flo's like the rest of you guys! I actually rode the prototypes last year in St. A's, but decided to bring my own wheels this time to save the hassle of having to ship the wheels back to the lads after the race. I can't wait hey, I think they're on the ship as we speak.
I'm in Mexico already for my next race, but when I come back next year we should go for a pedle or something.
Cheers,
Josh
Burg, yeah those wheels are going to be sweet. "The lads" have been real transparent with their engineering, modeling, and testing. It's good to see a couple of young engineers living their dream of providing solid race wheels at an affordable price.
DeleteWould love to go for a peddle next year. I'll begin devising tether protoypes and conduct testing over the next year to be able to stay in your slipstream at 28 mph! But hey with the new FLO wheels, look out my friend! lol!
Great to hear you're in Mehico and partaking in their delectible sugar-free chocolates :). Epic view from the pad. Hope you get a moment to get some fishing in. Good luck!
Tampa Joe