Hi Everyone
Lately I participated in the first
race of the Sicily Triathlon Series. This Series is a circuit of 6 races around
Sicily where the level is expected to be very high. The first race of the
Series was a Sprint Duathlon which was held in the Race Track of Pergusa in
Enna. The Race consisted of a 5km Run – 20km Bike and a 2.5km Run.
The build-up for this race was not
an ideal one as he got sick a week before the race and I was under antibiotics
treatment. However I was still determined to produce a good performance. The
weather in Pergusa was very tough as it was very cold and kept on raining for
the whole weekend
I started the first run in the lead
setting his my pace and trying to make selection. I came in T1 leading the race
with another five athletes covering the 5km in a very good time of 16.25. After
a fast transition I immediately attached the bike. Only Race Favourite, Enrico
Schiavino and Domenico Lo Faro kept on my wheel. At this stage I knew that the
victory was going to be between us. Since I was not feeling 100% sharp due to
the antibiotics I had to play my cards well
I tried several attacks on the bike
but could not get the other 2 athletes off my wheel. The road was all flat and
it was raining and windy so it was even difficult to make the difference. We
came in together In T2 covering the 20km in 31minutes. It was crucial moment of
the race and I tried to do my fast transition to go out first and open a gap
but unfortunately due to the cold weather, my hands were numb and lost precious
seconds.
Schiavino went out of T2 first.I
followed him just a few seconds behind. I did my best to close the gap but I was
not feeling very powerful due to the cold weather and antibiotics. I managed to
hold on to 2nd place finishing the race in a time of 58.40 just
17seconds only behind Race winner Enrico Schiavino and winning my category in
the process
I am very pleased with his
performance. I feel that I was unlucky that I got sick few days before the race
as I think I could have gone much faster. Unfortunately had a slow transition
due to numb hands which I lost precious seconds which costed me the overall
victory. However I am very happy that he
won my category and would like to thank my parents and my wife's parents, my coach Dermot Galea, my swimming
coach Catalin Stan, his sponsors Garmin Malta, BBB Cycling Malta, Jaycee Malta,
Team Barry – Malta International Challenge Marathon, Starbene 24/7, Mochika outdoor
life, DGtri.com, Lucida Laundry, his Club Birkirkara St Joseph, the Malta
Triathlon Federation, the Maltese Olympic Committee for the constant support and Sportmalta for their constant
support and for funding this race. A big thanks goes to my super wife Elizabeth for her great patience and support
That's all for know
Yours in Sports
Keith
