Abu Dhabi International Triathlon 2011

Abu Dhabi International Triathlon.

The image that you naturally have in your mind about Abu Dhabi is hot, sandy and windy along with some extravagant buildings and surroundings worth seeing. It is a very interesting place and it did not disappoint.

With the large prize purse and being renowned for taking 5 star care of all involved it was always going to draw a talented tough field. It would be easy to drop a few names however in such a race it is much easier to mention who was not on the start list and the only major name absent was Raleart. The rest of the 'guns' that toe the line in Hawaii for the World Championships put their hands up to battle it out in this amazing early season race.

As quick as the sun rises the gun was sounded and the field was off in the 3km 2 lap swim, with the athlete's exiting the water for a quick 100m beach run mid way through. To the surprise of many a small group of us separated ourselves from the rest of the field with in the first lap and extended the lead through lap 2.

It was not until T1 that we were really able to see who was here and who was absent, knowing the dangers would come later in the day from the Commerzbank Team members and uber bikers Bracht and Vanhoenacker. The major names absent from the lead pack was Llanos and Hawaii Ironman Champion McCormack.

The bike course allowed all athlete's race around the Yas Grand Prix circuit at the turning point on both laps 1 and 2. It was not until exiting the Grand Prix circuit on the second lap (apx 120-30km) that both Bracht and Vanhoenacker started to flex their muscles. The flexing splinted the group and guys were being discarded one after the other in the blustery hot sandy conditions making for some hard solo mind testing moments. This was a day to stay focused on yourself and what needs to be done and that was pacing and nutrition.

Towards the end of the cycle leg it was Freddy Van Lierde that started to show his form which allowed him to dismount in the 2010 event in 1st position. At T2 one thing was for sure the 20k 2 lap run was going to be a fast survival and Van Lierde was looking the goods. Slipping into the Saucony's the legs came around quite fast and it was time to settle into that uncomfortable rhythm. Linking up with Tissink we were able to push the pace early with Vanhoenacker staying close behind and keeping us in check. Completing lap 1 of 2 the heat started to take its toll and the body temps were rising. The second lap was more about holding form and keeping tempo checking off the KM's in the tough conditions.

At the completion of the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon for 2011 with the strongest field out side of Hawaii it was pleasing to cross the line in 7th position only 3.38 mimutes from 1st. It is amazing to think after such a long hard event that the top 10 were only separated by 7 minutes!! For myself after making a few changes in training midway-end to end of last season and aligning myself with a few new sponsors, it is nice to be back in the mix of things at the major events and knowing this was one of the strongest fields provides a lot of confidence and excitement.

The toughness of the conditions was highlighted by only 21 elite finishes and 19 DNF's.

Thanks for all the support, wishes and calls. It will be nice to mix it up again with Tissink and Vanhoenacker in a few weeks time at Ironman South Africa.

Results 2011 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon
Abu Dhabi, UAE / March 12, 2011
3k swim / 200k bike / 20k run

Top 10 men

1. Frederik Van Lierde (BEL) 6:43:14
2. Marino Vanhoenacker (BEL) 6:43:31
3. Dirk Bockel (LUX) 6:43:42
4. Raynard Tissink (RSA) 6:43:47
5. Sylvain Sudrie (FRA) 6:45:49
6. Craig Alexander (AUS) 6:46:46
7. Luke Bell (AUS) 6:46:52
8. Faris Al Sultan (GER) 6:48:22
9. Timo Bracht (GER) 6:49:40
10. Andrew Starykowicz (USA) 6:50:22

Take care
Luke Bell.
www.luke-bell.com
twitter@ auzzieluke

*photo's- Amanda Balding & Jeff Bell