PERFECT conditions greeted those taking part in the second De Putron Super Duathlon. The short course consisting of three one-mile runs separated by two six-mile bike legs for seniors and two runs, one cycle for juniors saw competitors taking full advantage of the weather conditions and clock blistering splits.

Daniel Arblaster dominated the junior field from the start taking the top spot from Martin Chapman.

Even over such a short event, Arblaster was able to accumulate a substantial lead of three minutes over Chapman, mainly due to some very fast runs. This third consecutive win by Arblaster ensures him the overall title in the junior section of the De Putron Winter Duathlon Series.

In the men’s race, veterans Carl Thomson and Bob Duquemin had to battle it out all the way to the finish.

Duquemin managed to record the fastest bike splits of the day.

However, Thomson managed to claw back on every run and finally overtook Duquemin on the final leg, agonisingly just out of sight of the line to finish only 15sec. ahead.

Both were clear of Tom Becker who, following a collision with women’s favourite Lynn Mahy on the first run, was unable to catch up with the leaders and had to settle for third.

Unfortunately, following her collision, Mahy had to retire from the race leaving the door wide open for Emma Nicole to take her first win of the series.

This valuable victory sees Nicole move to the top of the female leader board ahead of Gail Merrien and Mahy.

The next event in the Winter Duathlon Series will take place on 25 March 2007 starting at Pembroke and consisting of a six-mile run, 25-mile bike leg and three-mile run for seniors and 2.5-mile run, 8.5-mile bike and 1.5-mile run for juniors.