Cameron takes out Classic

Luke Cameron put the disappointment of missing last year’s Albany Classic behind him by racing away to a comfortable overall win in this year’s edition of the Albany Triathlon Club event on Sunday morning.

Cameron had entered to compete in the 2013 Albany Classic but was unable to take part after getting hit by a car in February while training.

After being out of action for more than six months, Cameron was rapt to take overall honours after a quick big leg set up the victory.

“I had planned to come down last year,” he said.

“But in mid-February I was cleaned up by a car while I was training and I obviously missed the event.

“I was very happy to win and I really enjoyed the event, conditions were perfect.”

Ken Koike led the field out of the swim leg and powered away in the early part of the cycle leg but Cameron quickly started to reel the leader in after being among the leading division out of the water.

Cameron produced a powerful performance on his bike, eventually passing Koike on the second lap of the newly designed bike course.

Despite Koike recording a quicker time in the run leg, Cameron crossed the line 1min. 59sec. ahead of Koike.

“He had quite a good lead out of the swim,” Cameron said.

“But I kept working in the bike leg and I caught him after the second time up the hill.”

Cameron praised the club for the event and said he was keen to defend his title next year.

The 31-year-old, who is originally from Melbourne, finished with a time of 2hr. 6min. 42secs to defeat Koike (2:08.41) and Dean Shipp (2:11.56).

June Ward was the first female to cross the line in a time of 2:21.54 which placed her 14th overall while the fasted team on the day was the slick combination of Michael Cameron, Mike Ruttico and Jack Dunn in Team Impulse Cycles in 2:12.44 which was the fourth-best time overall.

Amygdala Racing was the winner of the mixed team category, William Tickne