MARIGOT—The final instalment in the three-race Monster Energy series organised by Tri Sport Marigot is this coming Sunday’s Xterra Duathlon taking place on the trails of Bellevue.
A good turnout is expected for the two participating categories of individuals and teams in this combination running and mountain biking race. With little rain to speak of the trails should be hard and dry to produce some fast times.
Individuals will be running two laps of 2.2K course followed by four laps of a 4K mountain bike course, then finishing with one lap of the running course.
Most of the top athletes will be contesting the individual category. Tri-athletes for example with their superior cardio still have an advantage even if their mountain bike technical and handling skills are not always up to par.
More popular however will be the team category where teams of two share the running and biking duties. Teams will do one lap of the same run course, change over for one lap of the bike course and change over again for one lap of the run course again. This has to be repeated four times.
“In order to not have too many people on the trail at the same time, we broke up the teams so that each person does one lap,” explained Tri Sport’s Susy Piscione. “Some teams will not be as strong as the individuals and this way each partner gets a break. To do four laps of the bike continuously for a less experienced or novice biker is a bit intimidating.”
Favourites that come to mind in the individual category include Dean Hodge, Gregory Pigeon, Laurent Guy, Fred Quetat, Otis Cotton, and Dick Luttekes if he is on island.
Dean did the team event last year but has worked hard on his running since. Having morphed from roadie to powerhouse mountain biker, bets are on to see if he can edge last year’s winner, Gregory Pigeon.
Sandra Garnier and Annelies Starreveld will most likely be renewing their rivalry in the women’s individual event while the pairing of Liesbeth De Falco (bike) and Michael Bacon(run) promises to be one of the strongest teams.
Another strong biker Joost Huele has also opted to do the team event, having reportedly confessed he hates running.
Registration is $15 at Tri Sport Marigot or Tri Sport Simpson Bay before midday on Saturday. The race starts at 7:00am with a gathering of participants at 6:30am at the Causeway roundabout. This is to lead those not familiar with Bellevue into the course area. Breakfast and prize giving at Port de Plaisance.
