JASON WILSON came back home and returned to the podium too.
Barbados’ Olympic triathlete had himself a real homecoming, just missing out on winning a second CAMTRI Sprint Triathlon American Cup following yesterday’s second-place finish on the Spring Garden Highway.
Leading the field through both transitions, the hometown hero just couldn’t hold on in the end after Canadian John Rasmussen pulled away over the final 800 metres to win in 57 minutes, 50 seconds.
Wilson finished less than a second behind in 58:06 after he, Rasmussen and former Junior World Championships silver medallist Charles Pacquet (58:18) led the pack for the final lap of the 5k run.
“I didn’t think John had those legs in him and I tried to cover but I just couldn’t get on his legs, and once the gap opens up in that wind it just continues to open up,” said Wilson.
“John raced well and when he hit me in the end I had nothing in the tank, but I’m happy with how it went today. It was good and this is my first race for the season as it’s only February and I didn’t do anything special going into this race.”
“It was a very technical race, very slow because of the wind, so guys would slow down, get a draft and attack. But we have Commonwealth Games in April and I have a couple World Cups in Australia and New Zealand prior to that just to sharpen up a little bit more,” he added.
It was the first time in three years that Wilson has contested the event at home after winning the 2013 edition in grand style.
And he looked primed for another gold medal finish after completing the 750-metre swim first to lead a strong six-man lead group into the 20k bike segment. (JM)
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