Dave Brown's report from the World Long Course Duathlon

The World Duathlon Long Course championships took place on 21st Oct 2007.

Dave Brown competed at the World Long course Duathlon Championships in Richmond, Virginia. He came in a creditable 20th position and third Brit home in a race won by the late Benny Van Steelant's brother with a dominating performance.

His report below:

This was the goal for the year after Powerman Zofingen. I had prepared well for the race sharpening up at the Cycle Show Duathlon the week before and arrived at Richmond with the rest of the team on Thursday. I had big expectations for this race as I felt I was ready to crack the top end of the field
The Race was situated down by the river just on the edge of the CBD of Richmond. The run course was twisty but fast as it snaked around the river, 2 laps 0f 7.5km for the first run and 1 lap for the last lap.
The bike was technially challenging with loads of corners and lumps to contend with and should be enough to do some damage to the field over 76km. The weather was warm, clear skies and warming up I felt the tingles surging around the body, a feeling i rarely get anymore when i race as i get older but one i welcome.
The first run was steady with the players sprinting off the front to set the pace. I settled into mid pack of the 45 strong elite mens field and concentrating on even pace over the first run. The pace seemed good 51:30 for the first 15km. Into transition nice and smooth and out on to the bike.
The bike was 4 laps of about 19km each and straight away I felt good with the pace seeming to match the top guys at the front end as I measured them on the way back in some return sections on the course. Into the first aid station I was expecting gels but they had run out with the age groupers before and i was stuck in a dilema in that i had no calories coming in only water to fuel the ride. I hoped my body would be able to last the distance before i got back to T2 but hope doesn't work in a race. With the nature of the course with acclerations and broken pace i chewed away the energy pretty quick, soon the suffering began big time after moving into the top 10 by the end of lap 3. The spots in the eyes appeared and I was loosing control as I was negotiating the corners on the course. I stopped beside some cyclists who were spectating and begged for some food. They were more than hospitable and gave me some gels which i chucked down the throat to get me to the end. I don't remember the last run much but remember someone giving me the Union Jack which i proudly waved as I crossed the finish line to come in 20th position.

Long Distance: 15km run/76km bike/7.5km run.

Full results can be found at: http://www.usraceworks.com/duathlonworlds/default.aspx