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Wales' Performance athletes storm to victory at BUCS Duathlon

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Welsh Triathlon report from the BUCS Duathlon 2014

BUCS Duathlon 2014 - Sunday 23rd November

Written by Welsh Triathlon Perfo,ance Centre Coach, Dr Andy Lane (Cardiff Met Uni)

Castle Coombe Race Circuit once again hosted the BUCS duathlon Championships organised by DBMax race events. The 2mile (1 lap) run, 10mile (5 laps) bike and 2 mile (1 lap) run has become an increasingly popular event since it began in 2010. In its first year 257 competitors lined up to race and it has increased to 333, 420, 482 and 569 athletes in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. This year saw the biggest field with 391 men and 178 women taking to the cold, but not frozen, start line. The race was held under pretty good conditions with a wind and the slight uphill offering the challenge to competitors on the bike. The larger field made it a challenge for some performers to navigate through the chicanes and take the best race lines but this didn’t stop athletes from giving it there all and setting some blistering fast splits.

There was a lot of Welsh interest in this race with 2014 Welsh Commonwealth Games team members Liam Lloyd (University of Leeds) and Alex Matchett (Bristol University) on the start list, Welsh Triathlon Cardiff Performance Centre athletes included Kieran John, Deri Stewart and Ieuan Cooke (all Cardiff Metropolitan University) and North Wales development athlete Jasmine Bowyer (Cardiff Metropolitan University). Other athletes on the start line who are part of the Cardiff Triathlon Performance Centre included Sam Wade (Cardiff Metropolitan University) and Alex Thorley (Cardiff University). Rhiannon Middleton was cheering on her Birmingham University athletes.

The men’s race was on from the gun but Liam Lloyd made sure that he set the pace early and stayed at the front all day for the win. A really strong all round performance from Liam who competed with a smile and showed how strong he is - well done Liam! Behind him heading into T1 a large group of athletes containing all the pre-race favourites such as Alex Matchett, Sam Wade, Richard Horton, Chris Perham, James Teagle, Matthew Wright, Beau Smith and Luke Grenfell-Shaw were within 7seconds of each other. This made a pretty large group on the bike during the early stages which Sam Wade decided to lead. The wide tarmac roads were soon covered in competitors with Liam clear of the chase group by about 20seconds midway in the race. However, Dan Bigham lit the track up with an exceptionally quick time, followed closely by Welsh athlete Alex Matchett. These three stayed in that order heading onto the final 2mile run, Liam crossed the line to win the gold medal and Alex overtook Dan to take the silver medal. Alex has shown that you can manage studying for a medical degree and training and put in a strong performance. Sam Wade ran through from 5th off the bike to take the bronze medal for the 4th year in a row. The Welsh athletes had a pretty good day all round amongst some quality male athletes. Full results can be found here.

In the women’s race Sophia Saller (Oxford University) the U’23 Womens World Triathlon champion and European Senior Silver medallist took the BUCS honours with a strong all round performance. She was joined on the podium by Chloe Cook (Leeds Beckett University) and Grace France (Bristol University). Jasmine Boywer in her first duathlon had a consistent day with a strong bike (18th best female) finishing well inside the top half of the women’s field.

Results:

 

Men

Women

1

Liam Lloyd (University of Leeds)

Sophia Saller (Oxford University)

2

Alex Matchett (Bristol University)

Chloe Cook (Leeds Beckett University)

3

Sam Wade (Cardiff Metropolitan University)

Grace France (Bristol University)

Team

 

Men’s Team

Women’s Team

1

University of Leeds

University of Leeds

2

Loughborough University

University of Birmingham

3

Leeds Beckett University

Leeds Beckett University

 

Cardiff Metropolitan University - 6th

Cardiff Metropolitan University – 29th

Finally, the overall men and women’s combined team competition was won by the University of Leeds highlighting their overall dominance this year. Well done to all coaches, athletes and support teams. Thanks must go to the race organisers DBMax events, sponsors, BUCS and all marshalls and volunteers for putting on another excellent event. THANKYOU!

Photographs by The Triathlon Shop, Bristol. Thanks for taking them and allowing us to use them.

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