Devonport International Triathlon (ITU points race)
Sunday March 17, 2002
Devonport, Tasmania, Australia
1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run draft legal

Race story below

World Champion Siri Lindley from the United States and the Czech Republics Martin Knarvek took the honours at today's ITU Devonport International Triathlon. Held on the North West coast of Tasmania, the southern most state of Australia Lindley and Knarvek achieved their wins in races of considerable contrast.

In the elite women's event American Barb Lindquist went alone off the front in an impressive display of catch me if you can racing. She emerged from the Mersey river with a 50 metre lead over a chase pack that included compatriots Laura Reback, Lindley, Canadian Sharon Donnelly Britains Leanda Cave and Australian Melissa Ashton with a similar gap back to Australians Emma Carney and Rebekah Keat.

Lindquist pushed the bike hard on a multi loop course that was challenging because of a healthy mix of climbs and a strong south westerly wind. Lindley and the chase pack were at one stage close to 1 minute 20 seconds down however they narrowed the margin to just 45 seconds at the end of the bike leg. 7 set out in pursuit of the American with Keat and Carney riding strongly to successfully bridge the gap to the chasing 5.

The reigning world champion was the class runner in the field. Lindley caught Lindquist after the second of three laps and drew away in the concluding stages to post an impressive victory. Both Americans received a wonderful reception from the huge crowd assembled at the finish. So too did Australians Emma Carney and Melissa Ashton who performed strongly on home soil to take 3^rd and 4^th places ahead of Leanda Cave (GBR) Rebekkah Keat (AUS) and Sharon Donnelly (CAN). Laura Rebak (USA) and Australians Helena Edmonston and Maria Kosztovits rounded out the top 10

In stark contrast to the women's race 25 men emerged from the swim led by Australian Greg Bennett and settled into a solid 40 kilometre ride that saw the main pack hold at about 18 riders with all the favourites well positioned. Australians Chris Hill, Miles Stewart, Courtney Atkinson , Chris McCormack, Bennett, Bryce Quirk, Marc Lees and Ritchie Cunningham were right in contention along with Olivier Marceau,(FRA) Knarvek, Andreas Gruetter (SUI) Gael Mainard (FRA) and Brent McMahon (CAN)

In the last 4 kilometres the Frenchman Mainard sensed the pack was getting ready to run and stole a 40 second break however his surge was quickly absorbed by the rest of the field early in the run with a fierce pace set in the opening 5 kilometres. Courtney Atkinson, Ritchie Cunningham, Miles Stewart, Chris Hill and Chris McCormack were the prominent Australians as the race moved into its final stages along with Knarvek and Olivier Marceau. Atkinson, who looked set for yet another podium finish, withdrew with stomach cramps whilst Cunningham was particularly impressive out in front putting the challenge to his more experienced and better credentialed rivals.

With a little over two kilometres to go Knarvek surged and gained a break that would prove decisive. Stewart had come to Devonport in great form and he chased the Czech hard falling just 6 seconds short in the final analysis. Cunningham remained strong for a great third place closely followed by defending champion and last years IOC presidents Cup winner Chris Hill with fellow Australian Chris McCormack in 5^th place.

Bryce Quirk had a fine race filling 6^th place ahead of Marceau with the Australians Greg Bennett, Marc Lees and Simon Thompson completing the top 10. In its eighteenth year the Devonport Triathlon again attracted a quality field with terrific racing in both women's and men's elite competition.