Frenchman Laurent Vidal said his second consecutive victory in the Contact Cup sprint race in Wanaka last night was especially sweet after beating two New Zealanders for the top spot on the podium, some small redemption for this year's Rugby World Cup final loss.
"They beat us in the World Cup so it was a little bit of revenge," Laurent (27) said.
It was a double celebration for the Frenchman, whose partner, world No 2 Andrea Hewitt (29), of Christchurch, won the women's race.
The men's race was dubbed the "Doddsy Challenge", with local boy Tony Dodds enlisting the sponsorship of local businesses and supporters to boost the prize money from $2000 to $10,000 and promising to give the money to charity if he won. Dodds was first out of the water and rode in a group consisting of Kris Gemmell, Vidal, Aucklander Ryan Sissons and Frenchman Aurelien LeBrun.
During the 5km run, Dodds, Vidal and Sissons broke away with LeBrun. Vidal then kicked clear to win in 55min 25sec.
He was followed by world No 18 Sissons (55min 34sec) and Dodds (56min 4sec), who had finished second from 2009 to 2011, in third.
"The crowd was awesome. I really appreciate it. I know I am not the favourite here but they gave me and the whole field great support ... everyone was hoping Doddsy might win, but he is on the podium so that is good too," Vidal said after his victory.
"On the run Tony was looking at me at the place I moved last year, so I didn't go. I waited for the hill and pushed then. I had to work very hard to be honest."
Dodds was philosophical in finishing third.
"Laurent is the nicest guy around so you have to give him credit. He raced really well."
In the women's race, six athletes emerged together from the swim - Hewitt, Tanner, Sophie Corbidge, of Tirau, and Dutch competitors Rachel Klamer, Dane Boterenbrood and Sarissa De Vries.
Corbidge lost contact on the first lap of eight on the 20km bike leg and De Vries followed soon after to leave a lead group of four, with the Netherlands against New Zealand.
The lead group stayed together throughout, with no-one prepared to risk a solo effort into the strong northwesterly.
Hewitt put in an early burst on the run to take the lead but a great burst from Klamer on the third lap drew her level with Hewitt, while Tanner too closed the gap on the final lap. Hewitt outpaced Klamer to the line to win by a second in 1hr 1min 12sec, with Tanner (1hr 1min 38sec) in third.
"This is a great, hard race to start the season," Hewitt said.
"The Dutch gave a good challenge and a great sprint finish. I was taken by surprise and thought I could be in trouble here but the pace dropped off a little and I had the pace in the end to win."
