”I was in the second pack, so I didn’t expect to run them down, but I’m really happy with that. They definitely made me work for it, and I think the crowd appreciated it too. It’s epic - we’ve missed this race for a few years, so it is really cool to have it back.”
Roderick’s performance won’t have gone unnoticed either, as the race to the Paris Olympics and Games beyond heats up. The Cantabrian, just 20, was fourth out of Lake Wānaka behind Jeffcoat, fellow Aussie Aleisha Wesley and Knighton – all part of a cunning masterplan sussed out over the summer.
“We always kind of wanted a breakaway. Hannah [Knighton] and I have been talking about it over summer - we didn’t want it to just be a running race, and Jeffcoat’s such a fast swim-biker, so it’s kind of handy it all just came together,” Roderick said.
”On the run, I just tried to stay relaxed for two laps because I knew Nicole was coming, and when she came I tried to go with her, but I had nothing. She’s just too fast.”
Hannah Knighton pushed the pace on the bike leg.
Roderick was still thrilled to be so close to the Kiwi number one, and justifiably so. The Cantabrian is only just out of the U-19 ranks – she won her very first Olympic distance start at the Canterbury Classic on January 29 – and back in the sport after stepping away from triathlon for a spell.
“It’s my first elite podium and my first podium in like three years, so I’m really, really stoked. I just come out of the junior ranks last year, so I’m just getting used to being in the open category, but yeah, really happy with that race today,” Roderick said.
“It’s definitely a big confidence boost moving forward for the season. Glad the first one is out of the way - the nerves are gone, and now it’s just exciting.”
The next Oceania Cup, also over the sprint distance, is scheduled for next Saturday, a day before the Oceania Mixed Relay Championships are also staged in Taupō.
