IT was literally a last minute decision - but it proved to be a profitable one.
Wagga’s Geoff Breese recorded what many believed was a surprise win in Sunday’s Coota Beach triathlon, however when his pedigree was revealed post-race, his victory was anything but a shock.
Breese may hardly have attracted a second glance as he lined up among the individual and team entrants in the
senior divisions, however by the time he finished the 18km bike leg, everyone was asking who the grey-headed bloke in the black racing suit was.
The 47-year-old rode away from the crack field of cyclists, many of who knew they could go flat out as they would be handing over the baton to a teammate, to be the first back to the transition station.
Switching to what he admits is his weakest leg, Breese emerged from the pool in second place, having been
overtaken by local teenager Tim Hayes who was competing in the teams
division, but still just ahead of last year’s Coota Beach winner Blair Hurst from Bathurst who was keen to go back-to-back.
The question then was could Breese hold out the chasers across the 5.4km run course, however by the time he completed the first lap the answer was becoming obvious.
Neither Hurst, or any of the
remaining individual competitors could make ground on Breese who would eventually cross the line in a slick time of 57.15 minutes, 90
seconds quicker than Hurst’s winning time from last year.
It was in the aftermath of the race that Breese’s prowess in the triple
discipline sport was exposed.
Having competed in triathlons for around 17 years, Breese finished ninth at last year’s ITU Sprint World Age Group Championships in Beijing.
“They (Worlds) were over the sprint distances of 750m (swim), 20km (ride) and 5km (run) and I go alright over the shorter distances,” he said.
“I’m actually training for an ironman event in Melbourne in five weeks time, and I was using today as a training run.”
Breese admitted Sunday’s race
wasn’t originally in his plans.
“I did a 100km bike ride yesterday, but felt a bit crook when I got off the bike,” he said.
“I was supposed to go for a run
afterwards but wasn’t feeling up to it, so I decided then I might come here to try and make up for what I missed.
“I went to bed, but didn’t set the alarm, I just thought if I wake up in time I’d come across.
“I was still tossing and turning around 12.30am, so it was only then I decided that I should make the trip.”
Breese, who had competed in one of the earliest Coota Beach triathlons said Sunday’s event was “brilliant”.
“It was so well organised and well marshalled.
“All the competitors appeared to be enjoying themselves and when you ran past the crowd at the volleyball they
all gave you a big cheer which was inspiring.
“I don’t think many of them would have realised this old bloke was
actually out in front.”
Hurst didn’t go home empty handed, finishing first in the 16-34 years
category in a time of 58.36, nine
seconds quicker than last year, while Anthony Sleeman, who is a member of the Coota Cycle Club, proved his skills extend beyond the bike, finishing third overall and second in the over 35 years division, stopping the clock at 60.11 minutes.
Several other locals also took on the challenge of the individual events, with Ginny Tooth taking almost three
minutes off her time from last year to finish second in the over 35s women’s in 71.15 minutes.
Kath Lonergan finished fifth in her division, while David Kerrison, Michael Ricketts, Brett James, Peter McClintock, Sandy Biddulph, Gerard Trinder and Adam Chandler have every reason to feel proud after
completing the course.
In a frantic sprint to the finish, Melinda Potente from Bexley claimed the women’s overall and 16-34 years honours, just one second in front of another visitor Caroline Stewart who took out first in the overs 35s.
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