Hot tri hotties take on the hills and heat of Mallorca 70.3 ⛰️♨️
Race week saw the HOT tri gang join up in Alcudia for relaxed evening meals, a group ride and practice swim.
The build up was relatively uneventful apart from an emergency bike hire replacement for Richard…..
Race day started with a 5:30am meet up for most of us for breakfast (sorry Andy…) then a relaxed stroll to transition. With the hotel being so close, we were able to get back to get into our wetsuits (and complete other pre race rituals) before heading to the beach for the sunrise.
I chose to go in the fastest pen with Cath and John as per John’s recommendation based on his experience from last year. It proved to be the right choice as I had plenty of space and free water around similar paced swimmers.
A Viking clap and the obligatory ‘Thunderstruck’ and we were away. (Some of us remembering to put on our goggles first!)
My official swim time was 30:19 so I was a bit disappointed to miss a sub 30 but I’d kept it calm and steady and had enjoyed it.
They said the transition was long and it was! Quite narrow and very long in order to fit in 3800 age groupers.
I was lucky to be racked at the far end near the bike exit, found my bike under a palm tree and mounted without incident.
The first 20km out to Port de Pollença were fast and flat and I focused on getting fluid and nutrition on board ahead of the 15km climb. The climb was all about using my head and holding back, staying seated in a low gear. This allowed me to enjoy the amazing views, chat to fellow riders and pose for some official photos 😀
My Tom Pidcock descending days are well and truly over and although I was overtaken by hundreds of athletes, I stayed safe and actually enjoyed the descent. I still can’t handle a right hand switch back though….
The plan to take it steady on the climb pulled off as I had plenty of energy and legs felt good for the final hour or so and I rolled into T2 with a 2hr57 bike split.
The sun was out, the music was blaring and the crowds wild as I started the run. My watch average temp was 31degrees so this was also a time to be sensible. I felt good, took some salt tablets, threw water over my head at each aid station and ticked off the 3 laps, ending with a 1:45 split. My finish time was 5:21:50 which placed me 8th in my age group and fastest hottie 😅.
As with all events, I am always so grateful when the bike gods look down on me and I’m able to avoid mechanicals. Big shout out to Luke, who broke a spoke whilst putting down huge watts on the climb, managing to fix his wheel and carry on. Also to Pete for his 17mins PB and all the other HOT finishers- Andy, James, JP, Charlie, John, Cath, Maggie and Richard. 100% finish success on a day with a race which had a huge DNF rate 🤜🏻
We were fantastically supported by Freddie and Florence the pink flamingos, who were ably assisted by Louise, Issy, Lisa and Ada (when she wasn’t taking work calls)!
The Hotties looked the business in the pink and white tri suits - so recognisable on the course and a very functional and comfortable suit (so I’m told).
“it takes a brave and special man to pull off wearing pink”….. so say G and Luke Rowe about Pog during the Giro this year- or were they talking about the Hotties?!
Being part of a team is all about the friendships, mutual support and memories and race day ended perfectly with debrief beers, cocktails (free for single travellers) by the pool, followed by a team meal on the seafront and some dancing in the sand.
Special thanks to JP for persuading me to join the gang (and carry on for another season) and to everyone else for making me feel so welcome.
Onwards and upwards HOT tri 🦩🦩❤️🔥
Awesome race report, thanks Lauren!