MARIGOT--Mud-splattered mountain bikers and runners negotiated the greasy trails on Sunday in Bellevue for the annual Tri Sport Xterra Duathlon concentrating hard on getting wheels and shoes to stick to the track.
A downpour just before the start was the cause, but while there was no further rain the trails took time to dry up making it a more technically challenging race than usual. One rider actually fell off the course’s wooden bridge into the deep ditch, his wheels sliding off the wooden slats, but he was not hurt badly and could continue.
Emerging Male Senior winner of the Individual run-bike-run event was Christophe van Kerrebroeck completing the course in 1:38:18. Tri Sport’s Fred Quetat (1:43:32) was second and Ronan Garnier (1:43:52) was third, after a very close battle. Francois de Laporte who won the 2016 My Guardian Group 10K run was fourth.
“It was muddy, slippery but good fun,” said van Kerrebroeck afterwards. “Normally, I don’t do much running. With the conditions we had today if you don’t have good mountain biking experience it’s very difficult. You have to know how to handle the bike.”
The Women’s Individual event was won by Annelies Starreveld (1:51:09) second went to Sandra Garnier (2:03) and third place to Nicole Erato (2:11) in her very first mountain bike race. A strong rider on the road this was a baptism of fire for Nicole.
“Sandra was behind me after the first running segment so that was lucky for me because she’s a very good mountain biker,” Annelies said later. “I was able to stay ahead of her and Nicole was in front of me when I started biking, but I overtook her on the first lap. Overtaking her that early I knew I could carve out a good gap between us to put me in a good position for the last run lap.”
In the men’s teams Juan-Pablo Piscione and his son Kai proved to be a deadly combination; Kai an outstanding runner and JP in cracking form after riding the Brazil mountain bike race with Fred Quetat. JP and Kai won the category in 1:36:23 (the day’s fastest time). Jean-Francois and Gilles were second and Erwan Gentil (run) and Laurent Guy (bike) were third.
“After riding in Brazil for up to six hours a day you develop some good legs,” admitted Juan Pablo afterwards. “This race was more like a sprint for me.”
The women’s team category was won by Dymphe Bossers (run) and Liesbeth De Falco (bike), Team Dutch. Three women’s teams were registered.
Mixed Teams was won by This Top Team. The Junior Girls Individual event on a shorter course was won by Emma Quetat; the Junior Boys Individual second placed went to Seven Romney (1:20:21) and first place to Christian (1:09:21).
Junior teams (two laps run and two laps bike) was won by SXM Mountain Biker Kids.