Taking on the velodrome – Paratriathlete, George Peasgood

Last week I spoke to Paralympic Silver medal-winning triathlete, Alison Patrick, about her experiences of racing on the velodrome at the National Track Cycling Championships. George Peasgood, who finished seventh in Rio in the PT4 category, also raced at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester, and I asked if he could tell us more about his experience.

“Very different… but triathlon will always come first!’

I went along to the Track Cycling National Championships mainly just as a bit of fun.

I know my biking –  and especially time trial skills – are right up there compared to the para-cyclists in term of road events (road race and road TT), but I fancied testing my skills on the track in the shorter distances against others as well.

In the Paralympic triathlon event, the race is a Sprint triathlon format and so the cycling discipline is 20km long. For me that is around 30minutes on the road, depending on specifics the course. Last year I competed in the para-cycling Road TT champs, which were around 27km and finished second there in a mixed C4/5 category.

On the track I competed in both the Kilo (1km) and Individual Pursuit (4km).

Warm up as women’s TP qualification is going! @BritTri @HUUBDesign @leighday pic.twitter.com/ttHJgxTUBT

— George Peasgood (@george_peasgood) January 28, 2017

The whole experience is VERY different to turning up at a triathlon to race! Firstly, you don’t actually get given a start time, your event gets given a slot at which there is a “sign on closure” time. For instance, for the Kilo this was at 2:30, but the general rule is that the race would be an hour after the sign on. This makes the warm-up time very dependant on races going on previously.

Getting ready to go @george_peasgood #TrackChamps day 2 in Manchester pic.twitter.com/ZMvXpdMX6J

— British Triathlon (@BritTri) January 28, 2017

All the para-classes were merged, but giving more impaired classes factoring to allow for differences in impairment. The males and females were also racing together. In the Kilo i came fourth; in my male category that would have put me second. In 4km Individual Pursuit I came seventh overall, but in my category alone being first.

It was a different experience on the track; using a borrowed bike that was too small, I couldn’t get into the best set up… but still had fun in the process!

Today at track champs during the Kilo! @HUUBDesign Dave Scott Long Course Tri suit turned skin suit. ?? pic.twitter.com/OvnNLp2a0r

— George Peasgood (@george_peasgood) January 27, 2017

This year I’m looking to explore more road racing, as previously it has helped develop my power thresholds; whether it be in a national road race series race or a European Cup for British Cycling.

However, triathlon will always come first for me!