Sunday, August 24, 2008

Article in the Observer


So this Sunday I was in the Observer. Johann and I won the two person time trial over a week ago. To read the full article click here.
Some exerts:
One of the last teams to start was the potent combination of triathletes Johann Prinsloo and Jasper Mikkelsen. The reason for their starting position towards the end of the field was that Mikkelsen needed time earlier in the morning to complete a 12 mile training run before he could do the time trial.
I have started to run on Sunday mornings with a guy called Russel. He is a better runner than me, so it always makes for a good solid run. On the day of the time trial I did however, take it a little easier on the final kilometers to make sure my legs were not ruined before the ride. I have decided not to skip any runs. As I have written in a previous post it was my running that let me down in Florida for the half ironman and I don't want that to happen again.
Prinsloo readily admits that his partner in crime Mikkelsen had to do most of the work out on the course.

“Our TT race was more of a ‘Truck and Trailer’ than a Time Trial event. With Jasper being in peak condition leading up to his Ironman event and myself just having picked up the bike again after a two-month break following Florida Half Ironman, I found that I had to put in a lot of effort just to stay on his back wheel and only managed to slip to the front for a few short sections. It was a tough but fun and as always well organised event and I’ll be looking forward to the next one,” says Prinsloo.

Mikkelsen was delighted with the win, and very relieved that his legs could still put in a good time trial in spite of his training run.

“I wasn’t sure how my legs would react after the run, so Johan and I decided that it was probably best for him to lead the first mile. But already after the first minute I could feel my legs were fine, so I took the lead and let Johan know that I was good to go,” says Mikkelsen.

”I was a bit surprised that we could pull off a win, but we rode a good and strong race, keeping a consistent pace throughout the 10 miles. As a triathlete it is always a pleasure to beat the roadies on their own turf"
The last bit of the last quote is missing from the article.

I think Johann painted a picture that gives the impression that I controlled the whole ride. It is true that I probably dominated on the day, but Johann also did his part.