British title for delighted Josh
ISLAND Games champion. Now, two months later, British champion.
Josh Lewis stormed to the top step of the senior British Championships podium last weekend at Mallory Park in Leicestershire.
It barely mattered to the Ravenscroft-backed triathlete that he had finished fifth overall, with two overseas visitors (one Bajan and one Australian) and two British juniors beating him to the line at British Triathlon’s re-branded ‘Big Weekend’ event.
Rather, Lewis was elated with his British title and excited to see the hard training paying off.
He had clocked 56min. 48sec. on the roughly sprint-distance course to trump such names as Jersey ace Ollie Turner and accomplished friendly rival Iestyn Harrett in the senior division.
Curiously, the Guernseyman had been called to the start late and had to weave through a number of bodies in the 750m swim.
He nevertheless left the water not too far off the pace after a smooth performance.
A very competent cycle on a technical course, circa 19.2km, allowed him to power up the field and establish himself in a strong second group.
Turner had escaped down the road, but in the run Lewis reeled him in with a much-improved performance over around three miles.
‘I’m over the moon with that,’ said Lewis after finishing within 36sec. of Australian winner Josh Ferris.
‘To be crowned British men’s elite senior champion, I guess, was just the icing on the cake. I was just so happy to be mixing it up there and really showing what I have been working on in training.’
This performance came just a week after a great sixth at the French Grand Prix and has now opened up the door for some European Cup racing in the near future.
But Lewis’ focus is currently on finishing off a fine season.
After the Sandman beach triathlon this coming weekend, he will face Turner in a spectacular duel at Super League Jersey
Can the Island Games champion triumph on the Jerseyman’s home soil and in a format where sharp transitions are even more important?
‘I think I have the physiological edge over him, and he is amazing at the technical aspect, so I think it will come to a really close race,’ said Lewis ahead of the 28-29 September event.
