Clark Ellice (New Plymouth) finished 6th at the opening round of the ITU World Cup season for 2013 in Mooloolaba on Australia's Sunshine Coast yesterday, with fellow Kiwi Mike Phillips (Christchurch) 18th, earning a bonus USD$500 on the 40km bike leg with a show of aggression from the young Kiwi leading to the payout and a break on the field heading into the run.
There was no stopping Javier Gomez (ESP) however, the Spaniard moved to second on the all time list of ITU World Cup triathlon wins with his 13th career victory on a stunning day in Mooloolaba, running through and then away from the field with ease as the popular Spaniard laid down an early marker for 2013.
The Queensland coastal holiday hotspot turned on a stunning day to welcome in the first ITU World Cup of the 2013 season, with the water temperature a tropical 27 degrees and the air temperature nudging 30.
Ellice was pleased with his work on a hot and difficult day.
"That was a lot harder than Wellington, the boys came here to ride their bikes this weekend, it was great to have Gomez, Hayes and some great cyclists out there. We left nothing for the run, it was a run for strength and the strongest boys came through today and that is how it should be, I am just stoked to get my first top ten and keep rolling on to Auckland."
For Phillips the day was about gathering vital experience in some great company, he showed plenty of courage when winning the final bike bonus on the second to last lap, and then simply kept going with Stuart Hayes (GBR) joining him to establish a 45 second lead before hitting the run.
That effort saw Phillips pay a price however, but he wasn't here to simply ride behind the pack.
"You have to give it a go on days like this, the bonus was great but this was about learning from some of the best in the sport and giving it a shot. The run was so tough though, the hills on the course take it out of you and the conditions were so hot."
Gomez coped brilliantly in the conditions however, surprising given he has struggled throughout his career on such days. Matt Chrabot (USA) and Peter Kerr (AUS) battled stride for stride for the minor placings, with the American finishing two seconds ahead of the Oceania Champion, who picked up his first ITU World Cup podium.
