Barcelona Triathlon 2010

8 Athletes, 7PBs and 1 Mechanical DNF made for an excellent event at the Garmin Barcelona Triathlon.

Coming in across the Catalunya flight paths all the athletes arrived on the Friday, two days before Race Day. The bikes and I had taken the longer route via ferry from Portsmouth to Santander and then the eight hour drive across from the Northern Spanish coast to the South? East.

My arrival to our Village, Viladrau, and our villa, Can Capella, was extremely welcome after the long drive on my own. I had just come to the end of all life's podcasts essentials and had started going into the back catalogue of audio books.I can inform you that War and Peace is not made to keep you awake on the Spanish motorway. The Villa was magnificent; greeted by Carmen the local contact I was introduced to the fantastic building of Can Capella, a recently restored grand villa that took a few days to get used to. By the time I had found the third living room I thought I had mastered it.

Viladrau is situated in the Hills above Barcelona and Girona, convenient for both airports, predominately Girona being only 35mins away which was the first port of call for collection of the Derby Boys, Jon and Simon. Barcelona airport was less convenient but still within 1hr30mins and was the arrival point for the rest of the team: Elizabeth, Hannah, Jim, Jonny and Matt. An eighth was a late cancellation due to work.

With a spare few hours between shuttles I was able to get a quick ride in to assess our new surroundings with the husband and wife crew from Derby. It was a spectacular first outing with a solid climb of 119119191m to the top of the Col de Saint Marcel and then a thrilling technical decent in a quarter of the time all the way back home. The Superbike racer, Jon, showing us his technical proficiency in finding a racing line, amazing to watch if you are able to stay close enough. Saturday morning we were greeted by a thick mist which cleared by mid morning; in plenty of time to present a clear and bright morning for those having a lie in. The leisurely start was followed by a trip to the Race venue for registration and gave a chance for a acclimatising swim. Although the sun was in hindered by clouds the Barcelona beach front was still a bit chilly and as was the water (if the noises from Jon where to be believed). I think by this stage each of those competing were now juggling emotions of nerves and excitement but yet determined to enjoy a relaxing beer on the beach.

The wave set up for race day was lead by Jon and Matt in the Olympic, followed by Simon, Hannah and Jonny in the same Sprint wave, then Elizabeth and finally Jim in the super sprint. With 4993 other competitors it made for a hectic but manageable set up to get everything organised in transition. The local support crew also had different opinions on the use of tri bars causing no end to confusion. In the end we took them off the sprint bikes and left them on the Olympic.

Before the race Simon had noticed that his tire was blown out, it looked rideable but only just and if we had any other choice we would have replaced it. Our search for a nearby sports shop on a Sunday morning was fruitless and the logistics of borrowing a wheel off one of the earlier competitors was not possible. As our only option, the decision to ride with it and hopefully get lucky was made. He didn't get lucky, and Derby Lance was pulled from the course. This was after running 4km with his flat tire back to transition and setting out on the run as the leader of the sprint race, exciting all the photographers and confusing the marshals!

It is at this point that I have to point out that I am rubbish with a camera, I watched the bike stage for all the competitors and only saw two of the CER team and of that only managed to photograph one (and another wheel that I am sure was Hannah's). The same situation on the run. I basically provided a private photography session for Jonny and a token effort for everyone else. In my defence, plenty was going on all over the place, and it was hot, and I have an attention spam of a gnat.

By the end of the day all were tired, but I think elated to have competed in a great location in a well-organised and managed event. Matt came in front in 2hrs 21mins, Jon 2hrs 25mins (43mins of which was in the water. In the Sprint: Hannah 1hr29mins, Jonny 1hr37mins, Simon DNF, Elizabeth 2hrs2 2mins and Supersprint Jim 55mins. Good points and bad points were taken on all levels; Jons swim in comparison to Simons swim PB and Hannah's excellent bike followed by not giving everything in the run. All the first time issues that will be taken on board and corrected when they take to the field the next time.

With the race over, we had a few days of relaxation to enjoy. Monday with mild hangovers we sampled the sights and sounds of Barcelona taking in the touristy sites that were not on the bike course and Tuesday we went to sample hill climbs and descents that were local to the villa. It must be some of the best cycling territory available. All the roads were smooth, traffic was minimal, hills climable but still very challenging and the decents excellent fun and definitely making the climbs worthwhile.

With the racing and riding out the way the only thing to do was load the car, exchange photos and do my best not to fall asleep on the 8hr return drive to Santander. The first few were easy, staying awake, even with strong Spanish coffee and a couple of red bulls, (or at least the Coke equivalent "Burn") was not. Another 24hrs on the ferry and then the drive back into the reality of London finished off fantastic trip. All the guys did really well and where good fun even when pre-race nerves were at their greatest.

Thanks to all those that took part, I look forward to you coming along again to race with CER.