Matchtech Win Renewable Energy Cup
15/08/2011
London's docklands came to a standstill on Saturday 30th July as the London Triathlon took hold of the capital once again. Team Matchtech, this year comprising of Martin Bennell (swim), Freddie Hall (bike) and Richard Cookson (run), were hoping to go one better than last year when they finished in second place to Centrica in the Renewable Energy Cup. The Cup forms a part of the Team Sprint Event at the triathlon and means that Matchtech were up against not just the other renewable energy teams, but every other team who had entered.
The team event takes the format of a relay with each team member taking one leg. For Team Matchtech, that meant Martin 'the fish' Bennell starting things off with a 750m swim, Freddie 'the peddler' Hall following up with a 20km bike ride and then Richard 'Giraffe' Cookson bringing it home with a 5km run.
Bennell took to the water in sunny conditions, although it wasn't helping the visibility in the water as the Thames was looking it's usual murky brown. After mixing it up with some Olympians last year, he again faced Olympic athletes but was keen to get Team Matchtech off to a perfect start. After some pushing at the start line, Bennell got off to strong start and was able to swim with the leading group meaning he missed most of the rough and tumble in the middle of the pack. By the end of the swim he had pulled out a strong lead as part of a group of 5 and was able to come out of the water in a remarkable 3rd place, completing the 750m swim in a startling 12:39.
Something that easily gets forgotten during a triathlon are the transitions that take place between each leg. Bennell faced a gruelling run whilst attempting to strip off his wetsuit (Speedos on underneath to prevent any blushing) and then a trudge up some steps into the transition arena where Hall was waiting to set loose on his bike. After collapsing next to the bike, it was up to Cookson to transfer the timing chip from Bennell's leg onto Hall's leg and with that completed, Hall peddled back out of the transition area and onto the roads of London.
In the now sweltering mid afternoon heat, Hall was up against it to complete 2 laps of a tough 20km course which included several gruelling climbs over steep bridges. Hall put his new cycling shoes into good effect as he peddled strongly on both laps to ensure he kept Matchtech right in the mix with the top teams and also into a lead over the other renewable energy teams. Peddling strongly right to the last corner into the transition area again, Hall completed the 40km in 42:51 and again, collapsed in a heap leaving Cookson to transfer the timing chip and head out onto the run.
The sun and heat showed no signs of letting up which made for tricky conditions out on the 5km run but Cookson put down a strong opening lap to keep Matchtech's lead against the other renewable energy teams intact. With only one lap to go, Cookson put the hammer down and fought strongly to put in a sprint finish where he was joined by Bennell and Hall to cross the finishing line together. Cookson's great time of 22:02 combined with transition times meant that Team Matchtech came in with a total time of 1:23:07 but had they won the cup?
After rehydrating and scanning the other times, it soon became clear that Team Matchtech had won the Renewable Energy Cup for the first time in their history but had also finished a fantastic 30th out of a total of 452 teams. It had been an excellent day and great performance from the team who will be looking forward to next year and defending their trophy.