Ben’s race report: Team USA Takes Second in Brazil
In the first round I found myself nearly last into the water. Matt was just in front of me, and Victor was to his side. Out of the water, I was 5th, but Matt came from behind and we mounted our bikes together just behind the front pack. Soon we were in a group of about eight athletes, and just behind the lead motorcycle, so we sat in and waited for the run. Matt nearly won the round with his run, but faded slightly and ended up third, while I sank to 7th or 8th, just in front of a Frenchman.
Then in the second round I hit the water with the leaders, exited 3rd, and passed the leader from Brazil to mount my bike alongside the French champion swimmer, Benjamin Sanson. This time the lead group was only 4 until another Frenchman and Matt bridged up. On the run I stayed ahead of each of the Frenchmen and improved on my first-round run. I sprinted over the line for a photo finish with one of the Mexicans. My arm may have crossed the line first, but the results aren’t yet available. I was 5th or 6th. Matt finished 2nd, and Victor finished right behind me, ahead of the 2nd pack.
For the final round there was nothing to lose, so every team was willing to take chances. Somehow Paulo Miyasiro from Brazil and Benjamin Sanson made a 50m gap out of the water over the next swimmer: myself. The two of them hopped onto the wheel of the lead motorcycle and there was no catching back on. I waited for more riders to work with me, but rather than forming a chase pack, the entire field became one at the end of the first lap and the two men remained off the front. On the third lap (of five) another Frenchman made a strong attack and gained almost 10 seconds on the group. We left him sitting in front until the final lap, then reeled him back in. Again I ran faster than the previous round. Matt stayed in the game for another top three finish, and Victor and I finished 6th and 7th respectively.
This was a much stronger race than last year, and it’s great to see that my fitness after a month of base training is good enough to race next to the Brazilians in the peak of their summer season. Next week I will really put my early season training to the test with the Santos International Triathlon, just a 45 minute bike ride from here.
Thank you for your support!
The post Ben’s race report: Team USA Takes Second in Brazil appeared first on Garmin Blog.
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