TRIATHLON: A race full of determination from Jack Van Stekelenburg this morning at the Xuanwu Lake Triathlon Venue, Nanjing.
The Victorian finished a gusty 14th after fighting back from the swim leg where he came out of the water near the back of the group.
“It was not quiet the performance I hoped for. I was a bit off in the swim and I wasn’t getting much help in the run and bike. I felt like I had a good run and overall I’m happy to even be here (in Nanjing),” the proud Australian said.
The 17-year-old proved he is one to look out for in the future, racing most of the circuit by himself.
“I couldn’t get any help from the two other boys I was with and I was just off the front bunch at the start of the bike leg, so I decided it would be best if I went out by myself the whole way,” Van Stekelenburg said.
“I probably did 19km’s solo and did 1 km with a group, so I thought I’d rather look like I’m doing all the work and come 14th then sit in the hall pack and come 14th.”
The lanky Aussie finished the race in a time of 57:07, two and a half minutes behind the overall winner Ben Dijkstra (GBR).
It was a sprint finish for Dijkstra and New Zealander Danial Hoy resulting in a photo finish. Hoy filed a protest but the result stood.
Emil Deleuran Hansen (DEN) came third finishing six seconds behind Dijkstra and Hoy.
Van Stekelenburg knows he needs to work harder to prove he can excel in triathlon after the Youth Olympic Games.
“I would’ve liked a bit better but when I get home I’ll go back to the drawing board and try and improve on that,” he said.
“It was an honour to even get here in the first place and to wear the green and gold and represent my country.”
The Aussie’s will be in action once more, this time competing together in the mixed team event alongside the two other New Zealand athletes.
Oceania region will go up against other nations to fight for the last gold medal on offer at the Xuanwu Lake.
With Brittany Dutton claiming gold yesterday in the women’s event and Daniel Hoy finishing second, the Oceania team will be the ones to be watch when the race starts on Day 5.
Phillip Brent
olympics.com.au
@AUSOlympicTeam
