Hell of the West 2011 Goondiwindi
Posted on by Gary Land
Richard Thompson 2011 Hell of the West continue - I took the first portion of the bike relatively easy, having water and a Powerbar Gel, all while allowing my heart rate to settle and my legs warm into the ride. Just after the 10km mark, I dropped the hammer and started to ride hard. Surprisingly my legs were feeling great and by the 35km mark I hit the lead. Between 40km and 60km with the tail wind on my back, I was keeping the speed high but not forcing the power. After approaching the final turn with 20km to go, I had a 90sec lead. I worked hard into the tail wind and arrived into the final transition a little fatigued, but not surprised considering my solo ride.
I put my Brooks Racer STs on and flew onto the run. I didn’t know how much of a lead I had, so I took the first lap out with intensity. After the first lap I was very happy to see the gap to second place was over 4 minutes. It was such a buzz running through town for each lap – the crowd was very supportive and carried me through a lot of the run. By the 10km mark my body was feeling the effects of racing an Ironman two weeks before. My hips were tightening and I couldn’t extend my stride so I pulled back the throttle, started to smile more and focused on getting to the finish line in one piece.
After a very warm final lap I maintained my lead off the bike and crossed the line in 3:53:41 - winning my first triathlon as a professional. Five years ago at the Hell of the West I won my age group for the very first time. It gave me the confidence that I used over the following three years as an age group triathlete. Now racing professionally, it seems fitting that my first overall win was at Goondiwindi as well. Needless to say I am expecting bigger and better things in the next couple of years.
Thanks must go to Rhiannon Mackenzie, Anna Dawson and the Goondiwindi Tri Club for once again putting on a great race for everyone. This was my fourth race at Gundi and I am certainly looking forward to my fifth next year. A big thanks to SGTi Racing, Pinarello and all of sponsors, my encouraging friends and family and most of all thanks to Lise for her tireless and often over the top cheering that got me to the finish line.
Bring on the remaining eleven months of 2011! Cheers Richard--www.richardthompson.com.au
