Huge welcome to our latest recruit the super talented Iain Robertson. Having medalled at the super competitive World Championships last year, he is looking forward to racing hard this year in his new orange and black team colours.

Being accepted to join the TORQ team at the end of the 2013 season was the icing on the cake for me. 2013 could not have gone better. It started well with me securing qualification for the World Championships at my first race of the season at the Deva Triathlon. I then raced well all year, culminating in a bronze medal at the World Championships in London in the 35-39 Age Group – Standard Distance.

Results from 2013:

Diss Duathlon – 1st
Cambridge Duathlon – English Championships – 3rd – 1st 35-39 AG
Tear Jerker Off road Triathlon – 4th
Deva Triathlon – 7th – 1st 35-39 AG
Bristol Sprint Tri – 2nd
Norwich sprint tri – 1st
British Standard Distance Championships – 12th – 2nd 35-39 AG
Blithfield Sprint – English Championships – 6th – 1st 35 – 39 AG
Waveney super sprint – 1st
World Age Group Championships – 3rd 35-39 AG
Grafham European Qualifier – 4th – 1st 35-39 AG

2013 was certainly going to be a tough year to follow. I felt I had raced to the best of my ability in every race and at the end of the 2013 season, I had a few weeks off to take in the experiences of the year and to plan for the coming season. My plan for the winter was to compete in cross country races leading into the spring duathlon season.

Unfortunately things have not gone to plan this during the ‘cold spell’ as I have suffered with injury, which has prevented me from running most of the winter. It has been a frustrating time and has meant a rethink of my aims for the beginning of 2014 at least. Fortunately, I have been able to swim and bike so this has given me the opportunity to focus on my weaker disciplines. I still feel I have improvements to make in these two areas and I’m hoping the super fast Wilier Twin Blade will help my bike splits improve!

Races for the coming year:

British Sprint Championships
European Standard distance Championships
English Sprint Championships
Norwich Standard Distance
British Standard Distance Championships
Club Relays
Rubicon Middle Distance
British Duathlon Championships

My first race for TORQ was last weekend at Nice Tri Events Sprint tri. With the season fast approaching, I decided it was time to test my legs out. This would decide whether I was going to be able to compete in the British Sprint Championships the following week, which I had all but ruled out a few weeks ago. The forecast was for horrendous weather, heavy rain and very windy. Thankfully the rain held off but the wind was going to be very testing. I decided not to go with the FFWD F9R on the front as there were strong gusting winds. The balmy 12 degree waters of the River Great Ouse greeted everyone as we reluctantly entered the water. I had been for a dip in the Norfolk broads the day before, so I knew what to expect.  The swim felt tough and was up stream on the way back, but I was safely out of the water in about 8th place. As I entered T1, I was looking forward to testing out the TwinBlade. Hopefully I wasn’t going to look like I had all the gear with no idea! There would certainly be no excuses for a poor performance. The first time of racing on the Twin Blade felt great, despite the windy conditions. I came into T2 in second place about 1 minute down. On to the run and thankfully there was no sign of my calf problems from the winter. It felt great to be able to compete and I was just glad to get round in one piece. I was pleased with 2nd; it confirmed to me that I would be racing the following weekend…

With thanks to our sponsors:

www.wilier.it – Triathlon Frames
www.ffwdwheels.com – Race Wheels
www.huubdesign.com – Wetsuits
www.zyro.co.uk/altura – Triathlon and Cycle Apparel
www.ismseat.com – Saddles
www.invisciddesign.com – Speedfil Hydration Systems
www.schwalbe.com – Cycle Tyres
www.limarhelmets.com – Helmets & Glasses
www.lakecycling.co.uk – Cycling Footwear
www.jagwireusa.com – Cables & Housing
www.amphibia-sport.com – Transition Bags
www.lezyne.com – Pumps, Tools, Bottle Cages
www.fenwicks.info – Lubrication
www.kapz.co.uk – Custom Headset Caps
www.racewaredirect.co.uk – Custom Garmin Cycle Mounts
www.shimano.com – Groupsets
www.camelbak.com – Bottles
www.max-mediagroup.co.uk – Team PR
www.joolzedymond.com – Photography