Race Review - June 9-10th 2012

Zarausko Triathlon, Zarautz Spain

Saturday June 10th
Distance: 2.9 km swim • 80km bike • 20km run

teamTBB - USA athletes racing
Mathias Hecht

Mathias finished 2nd in the iconic Zarausko triathlon this weekend; it is one of the oldest long distance events in Spain. He raced top Spanish triathletes through the Basque country of Spain in area famous for being a very fanatic spectators.

Mathias reported in that "the race started with a 2.9km very rough point to point ocean swim. Unusual rough sea turned the swim into a surf swim. Which was good for me. Pure strength swimming. Out of the water with Eneko Illanos and two other spanish athletes. Went straight to the front and tried to put pressure on Eneko on that 4km climb that starts right out of transition. But very soon I had to recognize that I didnt feel that fresh. And Eneko is a world class athlete and to beat him “unfresh” is nearly impossible. Hard enough to beat him on fresh legs. So I knew after 30km into the bike , I have to get control over my body and go my own pace. The best that was possible on that day. At the end it was good enough for 2nd place. And I think I can be happy with that. Also , no better place for a training day then with this amazing crowd. Every year it blows me away."

Congrats Mathias on a brave race on not your best day.  Way to fight to the finish and hold off everyone but Eneko to come home in 2nd.  Your 2nd podium in the last three weeks!