Taormina
had other plans, and once on her bike, the courageous
American began an attack that would see her lead the
40km bike in a solo performance. Taormina forged a
1.07min lead by the 20km mark and would hold this
until the bike to run transition.
Hill
and Gibbs were soon caught by the third chase pack,
who had exited the water a further 30 seconds behind.
"I
was really surprised when a group caught Becky and
I and that group contained Carol Montgomery,"
said Hill after the race. "She had a really good
swim and I didn't expect to see her on the bike. Carol
was just too good all-round today."
Riding
with Montgomery was Japan's top ranked woman, Machiko
Nakanishi. As the reserve for the Olympic team last
year, Nakanishi has found new inspiration from the
experience for the 2001 season. Despite a disappointing
position after the swim, Nakanishi found herself in
a strong position in the chase bike group.
Australian
Melissa Ashton pushed the pace on the bike, anxious
to utilise her strength to fatigue her rivals. Montgomery
shared the workload.
"I
was concerned that we should not let Sheila get too
far away," said Montgomery. "I know that
she is a tough competitor. I didn't want to work too
hard on the bike, because it would be good to try
to conserve my efforts for the run, but there was
no choice - Sheila was really going for it."
Stepping
off the bike with a handy lead, Taormina punched the
air in triumph. However three and a half kilometres
later, the fastest runner in triathlon, Carol Montgomery
cruised past Taormina and didn't look back. Hill was
comfortable in second place and the only real struggle
came for the bronze medal.
Nakinishi
ran as the shadow of Ashton for much of the race,
with an occasional attempt to pass unsuccessful. The
pair also passed the fading Taormina with four kilometres
to run and continued to battle until the 30,000 Japanese
spectators managed to boost Nakinishi to her personal
record run split and first ever World Cup podium finish.
"I
knew during the warm up that I had a good chance today,"
said winner, Montgomery. "My legs just felt great,
and even after the hard bike I felt pretty sure that
I could win. I wasn't sure what Machiko could do,
as I haven't run against her often, but I have been
well rested this week and I had a lot of running in
me."
At
3.15pm the men's race was underway, stacked with ITU
World Cup newcomers. Race favourite, Hill, was upstaged
in the swim by Japan's Hirokatsu Tayama. Brent Foster
(NZL) trailed the junior ITU World Cup debutant from
the water.
The
more experienced athletes attacked early, and a large
pack of men soon formed, while some were dropped.
It contained Hill, Tayama, Foster, Bennett, Thompson,
Gael Mainard (FRA), Levi Maxwell (AUS), Luke Harrop
(AUS), Takumi Obara (JPN), Shane Reed (NZL), Miles
Stewart (AUS), Craig Alexander (AUS) and Bryce Quirk
(AUS).
Tsukasa
Hirano (JPN) and Eligio Cervantes (MEX), just missed
the lead pack and were joined by a pursuit group.
Soon after the young Tayama was also ejected from
the back of the lead pack, however the chase pack,
led by Cervantes were closing.
Suddenly,
in their desperation to catch the leaders, Jun-ichi
Yamamoto and Jose Barbany (ESP) crashed on one of
the tight turns inside the Yamaguchi Kiara Expo site.
The confidence of the pursuers was shattered and the
lead pack easily pulled away.
There
were several meaningless breakaway attempts by various
members of the pack. The only notable absentee from
the front of the pack was a calculating Bennett, who
was happy to cruise on the back of the pack. Perhaps
the group had relaxed when Mainard put the hammer
down and found a thirty five second lead over the
final two laps of the eight lap bike course.
It
was a brave attempt by Mainard, however one that he
paid for dearly. The run portion of the race became
very difficult for him, as first a charging Thompson,
then Hill, Stewart and more passed Mainard, relegating
him to 17th position.
In
only his second ITU World Cup (22nd in Lausanne, 2000)
it was a gritty Thompson who took the World Championship
silver medallist, Hill, on with a cracking pace. He
ran with strength at the front, while Stewart, struggling
with a sinus problem, held third position for a time.
Bennett
began his campaign conservatively, feeling confident
that he could reel the leaders back in. When he passed
Stewart and appeared on the shoulder of Hill, it seemed
that the dynamics of the race changed entirely.
"When
Greg showed up I was surprised," said Hill in
the Media Conference following the race. "I knew
he must have used a lot of his speed to reach the
front and I thought that was a good time to lift the
pace."
After
five kilometres Hill took a 30m lead that he would
comfortably sustain until the finish line. In winning
the race Hill also becomes the World number one ranked
triathlete.
Bennett
and Thompson were next to cross to round out the Australian
podium.
Allsport
pictures are available, free of charge for editorial
use, by contacting the email below, or search the
Allsport archives.
For
further information, interview or picture requests,
please contact:
Nici
Andronicus
nici.andronicus@sportsworld.net
+81 (0) 90 8993 6008 (local Japanese mobile phone)
+44 7887 787 402 (London permanent mobile, from Tuesday)
