Multisport: Fighting second for Currie in wake of big fall

Wanaka athlete Braden Currie had to call on all his determination to finish a gritty second at the Xterra Italy event at the weekend.

After fighting back from a huge fall during the mountain bike section, Currie charged to second place after an impressive run.

He finished in 2hr 49min 57sec, behind Spanish world champion Ruben Ruzafa (2hr 45min 23sec).

Five-time world Conrad Stoltz (South Africa) was third.

Currie transitioned out of the mountain bike in fourth, 2min 30sec down on Stoltz and France's Francois Carloni.

''Lucky I can run,'' Currie wryly pointed out.

''I set my sights on Conrad and after a hard 7km, he came into sight. On a steep pinch, I pulled up beside him and Carloni.

"With what felt like a heart-bursting climb, followed by a steep decent, I soon managed to be clear of both of them.''

It was a testament to Currie's mental and physical tenacity that he could even finish the race, following his head-over-heels crash on the bike in muddy conditions.

''As we hit a technical section, I quickly realised that my tyres had way too much air pressure and I was bouncing all over the place.

''On a steep, slippery decent, I went straight off the track, over the bars and my bike came tumbling after me.

"My rear derailleur landed right in the middle of my back.''

Currie's race schedule has been hectic since he began competing in Europe, with four off-road triathlons in five weeks.

He has had a win and three second placings in the ultra-competitive Xterra championship.

''I still have two more races in the Euro circuit and if anything, this race gives me more motivation to make the most of the next two races and see if I can crack the spiky Spaniard [Ruzafa].''

 

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