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| » Brilliant Doe breaks through in Tauranga (05/01/2008) |
Link: http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/localsport/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3760154&thesection=localsport&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=
07.01.2008
By JAMIE TROUGHTON
The grin said it all as Kieran Doe flew down Pilot Bay for the final time today, chucking out a few high fives as he crossed the finish line in one of his favourite races.
The dreadlocked 26-year-old took out the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman at his fifth attempt, capturing a crown which has at times cruelly eluded him in the past.
He's had two seconds, a third and a fourth — and they were the spurs as Doe fought off the relentless pursuit of eight-time champion Cameron Brown in a dramatic conclusion to the race.
Doe was home in 3:56.41 with Brown second in 3:58.33 and Nathan Richmond third in 4:00.04.
With the mop hair wigs and ‘Go Doe’ banners out in force, it was obvious this was one of the most popular wins in the 19-year history of the event, but it was built on sheer strength and determination.
On a long and gruelling 90km cycle leg, Doe beat his rivals into submission with a withering 2:08:13 bike leg, nearly 4mins faster than closest rival Stephen Sheldrake and 5:53 quicker than Brown.
His blistering ride was also more than a minute faster than the quickest team rider.
Incredibly, it’s just the second time Brown has been beaten in the race, after Craig Alexander and Doe snuck him past in 2005.
As the energy drained visibly from Doe’s frame on the final lap of the run, last year’s Ironman Canada winner admitted he drew strength from the hordes of supporters.
ITU world cup veteran Shane Reed overcame a disappointing bike leg to fly home with the day’s best run of 1:16.55, finishing fourth ahead of early leader Sheldrake. Former record holder Walter Thorburn, 44, showed his class to finish eighth in 4:09.49.
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