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Dougal Allan Motu Challenge report 2011

Friday 14 October 2011, 2:49PM

By MJ Media

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Dougal Allan at the finish of the Motu
Dougal Allan at the finish of the Motu Credit: Sportzhub.com
Dougal Allan on the kayak leg
Dougal Allan on the kayak leg Credit: Sportzhub.com
Dougal Allan on the cycle leg
Dougal Allan on the cycle leg Credit: Sportzhub.com

OPOTIKI

Motu Challenge is considered NZ’s premier North Island multisport race. I have wanted to do it for a number of years and 2011 was the year it would happen. After a tough racing experience in China in September I was uncertain about my form going into Motu. The race course would probably suit me with plenty of cycling, but without knowing the course and with training having a recovery focus in the weeks following China, I was very interested in how it would unfold.

The race starts with a 65km mountain bike which climbs three good sized hills and finishes some 800m higher than the start line. We had pretty persistent rain during this stage but a group of 6 of us worked well together to build a lead over the other Motu Challenge entrants, while 2 cyclists in the Motu 160 cycling event broke away. In our group were the two athletes I considered the strongest for the individual race: Richard Ussher and Sam Clark.

Transition from bike to run didn’t go smoothly for me as I spent too long trying to get my wet and muddy feet into my La Sportiva shoes. Once away running I could see Richard about 150m ahead. Initially I made gains on Richard but for some reason I could not quite pull him back and over the course of the 17km run, he pulled away again to about a 1 minute lead. Sam was not far behind me as we headed back to transition for the 55km road cycle of Trafford’s Hill.

I had planned to really take the race to Richard on the road bike. But this is where he would show his class and in fact build a healthy lead over both myself and the chasing Sam Clark. By the transition to kayak Richard was about 4 minutes ahead, with Sam about the same distance behind. Simon my support man helped get me in the kayak and sent me on my way.

The Waioeka was a beautiful river to paddle. Although I was feeling quite tired and not very clear on which lines to take, I did enjoy being on a new river in my Omega. Splits coming back to me by spectators seemed to suggest Richard was not making any significant gain. I got to a shoot where the water became very shallow. I missed my opportunity to take the deeper channel and before I knew it I was beached. With about 30 minutes left to paddle and being beached I thought I better focus harder and keep at it. I also got a good wake up boost as I looked over my shoulder to see Sam Clark eating the river with each paddle stroke and making massive gains on me. The end of the kayak could not have come quick enough as I spun my Hydra paddle with whatever strength I still had, exiting the river only 30 seconds ahead of Sam.

Onto the final 8km TT cycle I had to give it heaps if I was to shake Sam’s late challenge for 2nd. I knew Richard was now well on his way to winning his 4th Motu title, so I was in a firm race to hold 2nd place. By the end of the bike and with 3km of running to go my support crew Ali from Osprey Packs reckoned I had 4 minutes on Sam. Just the breathing space I needed and I cruised the final 3km run through town to the finish line to claim 2nd behind a record-breaking Ussher. 3rd went to the rapidly improving Sam Clark and 4th was snatched by my training partner Gavin Mason.

A big thanks to Ali and Simon for your support on race day. Also to Shaun, Gavin and JJ for making for a fun road trip to Opotiki and back. Finally thanks to my sponsors who support my training and racing endeavours every minute of every day – Dougal.

Sponsors:

Polar - Giant - Leppin - SOS Eyewear

R & R Sport - SmartWool - Osprey - Wanaka Medical Centre

Legend Paddles - Wanaka Physiotherapy - La Sportiva - Sisson Kayaks

Central IT Services - Sharkskin