Rotorua's Sam Osborne (centre) and Olly Shaw (right) stand alongside South African Brad Weiss on the Xterra Albay podium. Photo / Supplied
Rotorua's Sam Osborne (centre) and Olly Shaw (right) stand alongside South African Brad Weiss on the Xterra Albay podium. Photo / Supplied
What could be better for Sam Osborne than winning Xterra Albay in the Philippines and securing a second consecutive Asia-Pacific Xterra title?
Try beating the reigning world champion in a gruelling battle to do it and then watching your girlfriend Samantha Kingsford cross the finish line first in the women's race.
Despite not feeling at his best, Osborne conquered the tough trails of Legazpi City to finish in 2h 16m 58s, two-and-a-half minutes ahead of 2017 world champion Brad Weiss, of South Africa.
Osborne said he struggled through the swim and cycle legs, so was forced to throw all his eggs in one basket on the run.
"It was one of those days when the body didn't really seem to want to fire. I had an off swim and didn't manage to split anything, that seemed to translate on to the bike. I lacked a fair bit of power but the heat does funny things to your body and it seemed Brad was lacking a bit of fire power on the bike as well.
"Coming straight out of wintry temperatures we've been having lately at home, into the most intense heat, really doesn't make life easy and there were a few dark moments," Osborne said.
He said, going into the second transition, he knew he had to put some pressure on Weiss and Shaw.
Rotorua's Sam Osborne and girlfriend Samantha Kingsford celebrate dual wins at Xterra Albay in the Philippines. Photo / Supplied
"It was a bit of a gamble but the running legs had come out to play and I found a good stride, the legs just kept getting better and better and I thought if anyone could close me down with how I felt then they deserve it.
"To defend the [Asia-Pacific] title is pretty special, it was a big goal I'd set out for the start of the year and it's always harder and brings a lot more pressure trying to defend. To do it with a bit of style in the last race and get one over the reigning world champ makes it that much sweeter."
Watching Kingsford, who he also coaches, win the women's race was something Osborne will never forget.
She led from start to finish to finish first in 2h 54m 18s, ahead of Australians Penny Slater (2h 59m 36s) and Leela Hancox (3h 17m 4s)
How good is this feeling?! 1st Xterra Albay, racing in the Phillipines takes you to some dark places but it’s all worth...
"It's her first year racing professionally and to win a big race like this and share the top step so early on is special. I'm sure these moments don't come around often so we are definitely soaking this one up."
The pair now travel to Europe where they will base themselves in Spanish city Girona and prepare for Xterra France on July 1.
