firstoffthebike.com - Races

Kerr and Densham roll on

Any time a season winds up the last race is always a good one. That being said the final round of the Gatorade Triathlon Series finished on a high note. With over 2400 athletes making the trip to St.Kilda's famed Cantani Gardens this race was always going to be about one last swing before the Victorian season comes to a close for another year.

A few surprises were install for the elites with the arrival of Beijing Olympian Erin Densham and Ironman and 70.3 winner Luke Bell. Densham, who is getting over injury, was using the race to begin her build into the ITU season whereas Bell, a local, was just looking to hurt himself and have a hard race after a Summer he might want to forget.

Both added a star quality to the field that had seen some interesting racing throughout the season. From a wet and gnarly round one to the action packed Olympic Distance in Sandringham this series has never disappointed. The racing is always hard and fast and the elites seem to enjoy getting out there and caning each other.

The ones to watch though for round 6 were those who had the most to gain and Peter Kerr, who has made a quantam leap from thereabouts to there this season, was out to seal his series win. In the women's Madeline Olfield was certainly in the box seat to grab a title.

The elites raced without wetsuits which for some is always a challenge. The gun swimmers in the bunch were punching the air, if only a for a short while. Familiar names were off the front too. Beckworth, Rhodes, Kerr and Schuster were all into T2 early after blistering swims. Behind them Bell and Sexton were rallying. In the women's it was going to be a a race in three with Erin Gangelhoff coming out with Erin Densham. Those two were up and away out of T1 as Madeline Oldfield contemplated a long solo ride in pursuit. Camille Hudson was also in the mix but has yet to gain the big race experience.

The men's race was splitting up with Luke Bell riding true to his pre race intention of getting out there and having a whack at the field. He and Brendan Sexton had made the exit off the front and set about gaining some time on the fleet of foot.

As they came into T2 it was Bell who looked stronger. Sexton made his transition but after 700m his race was run. An injury to his leg essentially ended his day. Speaking after the race Sexton commented that he was unsure how he would survive the run and with caution the name of today he smartly backed off laving the rest to fight it out.

And fight it out they did. The second group, comprising of Kerr, Schuster and Rhodes was intent on doing a number on the front two. With Sexton out injured their destination was Luke Bell. And they got him. 2km into the run Bell was in the rear vision mirror as Kerr took control in a distance he has dominated this season. He stormed to the front and then waved goodbye speedy gonzales style never to be seen again. For Kerr it was a sweet end to a dominant season that saw him take 4 out of 6 victories. Brent Schuster came in second with Jamie Rhodes a solid third.

In a storming run of his own Craig McKenzie, second placed getter at Ironman Louisville in '08, flew in for fifth just ahead of James Chronis and Luke Bell.

The women's race played into Densham's hands as she shed anyone who mattered by T2. Gangelhoff certainly is talented but Densham has that quality that saw make the Olympic team. She eased away to win with Gangelhoff 90 seconds behind. Madeline Oldfield did enough to secure her series win.

The conclusion of the race saw the status quo restored after a brief moment of Bell insurrection. No doubt this is not the distance he enjoys but a solid effort as he prepares for the Ironman races that wait. For Kerr and Oldfield they must be pleased with their efforts. Olfield saying that race 3 (Sandringham) was the best win of her year while Peter Kerr seems to revel in life at the pointy end.

Another great season was wrapped this morning. All competitors no doubt closing down for a few well earned weeks off.

Men's Results

1. Peter Kerr 57.11(Series winner)
2. Brent Schuster 57.25
3. Jamie Rhodes 57.32
4. James Chronis 57.51
5. Craig McKenzie 57.56

Women's Results

1. Erin Densham 1:05:04
2. Erin Gangelhoff 1:06:28
3. Madeline Oldfield 1:06:45 (Series winner)
4. Vickie Wilkinson 1:08:03
5. Camille Hudson 1:10:31

Well done to all the series winners.

• Brian Rabinowitz 60-64
• Lyn Leversha 55-59
• Phil Hanley 55-59
• Julie Barker 50-54
• Geoff Taylor 50-54
• Miah Franzmann 45-49
• Colin Davis 45-49
• Anne Martin 40-44
• Grant Gilbert 40-44
• Cameron Simon 35-39
• Julie Gollan Foard 35-39
• Emma Miller 30-34
• Chris Auditore 30-34
• Sarah Grove 25-29
• Mark Rowe 25-29
• Aislinn Prendergast 20-24
• Levi Hauwert 20-24
• Zoe Osborn 15-19
• Scott McPherson 15-19
• Becky Rankin ITU F
• Benjamin Huggett ITU M