With everyone else racing, Chairman Yeo decided it was about time that he too should start competing in his bid for AG domination… and show all those Super Fit new Viceroys what our leader is made of . Grendon is a tough race, seen as a test by many – the rolling bike course and off road style road takes no prisoners. Throw into this that it is also the Varsity Oxford vs Cambridge triathlon and race pressure is on!

‘The weather was bonkers. My land rover was rocking in the wind, the lake looked like a choppy coast line. So rule #5 mantra was repeated: three waves at five minute intervals. O vs C, then 45s+ then the rest – meaning me. The water was a fresh 12 degrees and I wasn’t happy, so I was less aggressive than normal and battling through the second wave was like dodging mad swans, with arms and legs everywhere.

There’s a 200m run into T1 and as I entered I hear that my 750m & 200m run time was 9.50 so not too bad 7/10 for effort. The bike was the scariest I’ve ever ridden. Deep section wheel front and back meant I was on the side bars more than I was on the tri bars. A brutal wind and I rode like Miss Daisy! I picked up a couple more slots, 6/10 but on the run, there where toffs everywhere. “Good running Rodderick, thanks Charlie” – you get the idea. I felt okay and went into 10km default mode in preparation for the first Worlds qualifier in two weeks. 7/10. 19mins was comfortable.
AG winner by 3mins, 6th overall but throw in the Oxford vs Cambridge result I was 16th overall. The main thing was that the top three where all 15-19. Elite junior duathlon world champ, Elite junior to boot. 4mins off the top but a solid effort to open.’

Great work boss – don’t be so critical though!!