Nick races a mature race and comes away with 1st in Age Group at a qualifier for the European Duathlon Championships in 2016, super tough racing = super tough competitor…

My third Duathlon of the Season saw me make the trip to Anglian Water, for the final qualifier for the European Duathlon Championships in 2016. Although I qualified for the European Championships back at Clumber Park, the qualifiers are always good races to go for if you are looking for a quality race and a speedy field.

A bracing start, reminded all of the (almost) 300 competitors, that they weren’t about to jump into the water to get warm, but were to start off on a blistering 5k run instead. I had a good first run and came in around 5th. Making a swift transition and out onto the largely flat out and back 20k bike, I managed to spend most of the time holding my position. With about 2K left to go on the bike, a large pack of cyclists managed to catch and pass me, but I felt confident that I could catch them back up again on the final run.

Out onto the last run (also 5k), I did indeed manage to catch around 11 competitors and ended up finishing 1st in my Age Group, probably one of my best results in a major British Triathlon qualifying event.

All pro snaps courtesy of Jolekha Shasha

A big thank you to our sponsors for making it happen:
www.wilier.it – Triathlon Frames
www.ffwdwheels.com – Race Wheels
www.huubdesign.com – Wetsuits
www.schwalbe.com – Cycle Tyres
www.ismseat.com – Saddles
www.invisciddesign.com – Speedfil Hydration Systems
www.lezyne.com – Pumps, Tools, Bottle Cages
www.zyro.co.uk/altura – Triathlon and Cycle Apparel
www.fenwicks.info – Lubrication
www.camelbak.com – Bottles
www.tifosioptics.com – Sunglasses
www.limarhelmets.com – Helmets & Glasses
www.lakecycling.co.uk – Cycling Footwear
www.jagwireusa.com – Cables & Housing
www.swansuk.co.uk – goggles
www.shimano.com – Groupsets
www.amphibia-sport.com – Transition Bags
www.stagescycling.com – Power Meters
www.racewaredirect.co.uk – Custom Garmin Mounts