Gomez’s iron will
Spaniard focuses on worlds after blitzing rivals in Geelong
FIVE-TIME ITU world champion Javier Gomez blitzed the field in yesterday’s 70.3 Ironman race to claim a comfortable victory in a time of three hours, 45 minutes and 22 seconds.
The Spaniard finished more than four minutes ahead of his nearest rival Josh Amberger (3:49.37), while Tim Van Berkel (3:49.59) outlasted Casey Munro (3:50.02) in a gruelling sprint for third.
Australian athletes held 14 of the top 15 spots in the men’s event, but none were able to get close to Gomez, who earnt automatic qualification for this year’s 70.3 world championships in Nice with his win.
It was the first race of the season for Gomez, who said he needed to be a little conservative on the bike leg of the race to save some energy for his run home.
“It was a great race and it is always great to start the season with a win,” Gomez said.
“I am glad I made it here and I felt quite good and consistent, and I had a pretty good run so I was happy to get the victory. It was perfect condi- tions, perfect temperature, no wind and a fast course, so I really enjoyed it out there.
“I had a pretty good swim and was second out of the water quite comfortably, and then there was a group of four or five of us at the front (on the bike).
“I felt quite conservative but the first race you want to save your legs for the run to see how they respond, and they re- sponded pretty well so over all it was a pretty consistent race.”
Yesterday was Gomez’s first race in the Geelong 70.3 event and the result sets him up for a big year of racing.
But the 35-yearold said it was pleasing to be able to control the tempo of the race in the back half of his win and added that while the world championships were now his focus for 2019, the Tokyo Olympics were still on his radar.
“The first couple of kilometres (on the run) I didn’t feel very good but then I sped up and controlled the race a little bit for the last few kilometres because I knew I was going to win,” Gomez said. “It is great to be qualified for the 70.3 world championships already so I can focus on my next races and just prepare for the world championships, which will be one of my main goals for the year. “I am working on getting my speed back and will enjoy racing the shorter stuff this year …(but) Tokyo is still a focus and hopefully I can qualify for that and be competitive there.”