KEY POINTS:
Favourites Bryan Rhodes and Nicky Samuels lived up to their pre-racing billing in the fourth round of the national triathlon series in Timaru yesterday.
Rhodes finished in 2 hours 3 minutes 35 seconds, more than a minute ahead of second-placed Aaron Barclay (Gore) with Ross Smith (Christchurch) third. Samuels clocked 2:12.38 in winning the women's race, 11 minutes clear of second-placed Julia Grant (Ashburton).
But despite leading from start to finish, neither could describe the race as easy, with strength-sapping heat testing their endurance.
Rhodes' rare appearance in the national series was a perfect tune up for Ironman Malaysia next month, where he hopes to win for the third time.
"That was one tough race out there today. The hot temperatures were perfect with Malaysia in mind, but it made for hard work today," Rhodes said afterwards.
"I was reasonably conservative on the swim and came out with two or three other guys and then went to work on the bike.
"I was riding well until I hit the big hill and the legs didn't appreciate that."
Taking a wrong turn at one point let Aaron Barclay past Rhodes, but the Taupo triathlete fought back to regain the lead.
"It did fire me up though and I worked pretty well from that point. The run was tough and a great workout at some high aerobic levels but man, I need some speed!"
Samuels took her third win in succession in the Contact-sponsored series after victories in Whangamata and Wanaka, once again blitzing the women's field.
"Racing while training through is tough and I felt it again today. This will sound a bit weird, but my arms felt heavy in the swim, my legs tired on the bike and I struggled on the run. Having said that I am not race fit yet, that will come later in the season."
Samuels said she was enjoying her new programme with new coach Mark Elliott. At the moment, very little swimming was involved although she had been doing some early speed work, with the ITU races and the world championship series her main target.
World No 33 Samuels is living proof that you never stop learning, as she works on new techniques in both her bike and running work, in part to alleviate the injury problems of last year.
"We are working on some technique work to adjust the way I am riding and running so that is also taking some getting used to. But it is important if I am to avoid some of the injury issues of recent years, especially the pelvis problems that wrecked the second half of last year."
- NZPA
