An Occupational Health & Safety professional, men’s winner Ralph has a history of surf boat rowing but has only ever paddled a kayak three times and only purchased a road bike 18 months ago. Nevertheless, after a strong trail run off the starting line in Toodyay Main Street, he went into the road ride leg barely thirty seconds down on race favourite, Victorian Jarad Kohlar. Ralph proceeded to hang on to the lead pack of cyclists, including Eric Mellegers from the red hot team favourite Crankin Cycles, while Kohlar dropped off the back, suffering fatigue and a suspected bug after racing in Mongolia last week. For Ralph, the final winning margin of more than ten minutes was a dominating display of potential and showed that, under the weather rivals or otherwise, he is an endurance athlete to be reckoned with and a deserving winner. 

 

“I gave up the rowing after ten years because of a sore back,” said a humble but happy Ralph. “I was looking for a new challenge and got into duathalons, which I found fun and I seemed to improve pretty quickly.” While he secretly hoped for a top ten placing, Ralph admits that today’s winning result surprised him. “I didn’t think I’d go anywhere near (winning)! It was definitely the hardest thing I have ever done. It was a super tough course, harder than I expected  – that second trail run (19km) is just nuts. I had to walk on most of the hills.  It was steep and hot and ridiculous.”

 

The toughness of the second trail run was noted by others, including second placed Kohlar, who was so spent come race end that could only muster a walk across the finish line. “It was tough for me today, I was in the hurt box for sure. I felt as though I was basically stuck in third gear all day. I suffered on that 19km run and on the paddle, again, I just suffered.” Kohlar believes that his adventure racing foray last week in Mongolia may have played a part in what he regards as an under par performance. “I got back on Wednesday and haven’t quite felt right – I think I need to go and have some blood tests.”

 

Another race favourite who returned from Mongolia to race the Mainpeak, James Pretto also had his troubles on course, a foot injury and a broken boat slowing his pace. The Victorian literally limped over the line to take third place.