After Beating the Wind, Spiteri Goes Chasing His Dream

If the strong winds that hit the Maltese islands these past few days put you off going out for a stroll, then spare a thought for those poor souls whose dedication to their sport left them with no option but brave the weather for last Sunday’s National Duathlon Championships.

Fabio Spiteri laughs at the thought. “Well, waking up at 5.30am, and hearing the gusts of wind blowing on my window wasn't a pleasant wake up call!”

“I knew I was going to suffer extra in that wind but after all the wind is for all.”

Winner of the championships last time round, Spiteri entered this year’s edition as the pre-race favourite and from the start it was clear that he was determined not to disappoint with a strong run that belied the adverse conditions.

“To tell you the truth the wind didn't bother me that much on the run.. I went out fast to do the damage on the run and pulled Brian Magri, Mark Zammit and Johan Galea with me. We were boxed together so we got some protection from wind.”

That relative comfort, however, would soon change. “On the bike it was a different story. With the wind in my favour I was posting some fast speeds hitting between 55km and 60km per hour but coming back wind against its like hitting the wall!”

“I was only managing between 25km and 30km/hr so I changed to low gears, lowered my body and was just spinning. You can't fight the wind in such conditions.”

The wind also put paid to any hopes of improving on last year’s time even though the biggest obstacle for that was a change in route. “I can't compare the time from last year because they were held on different routes but yes I am happy with the time. I posted a fast 16:50 on 5 km run entering transition area and posted a strong 30km bike section (38.6km/hr in that wind) followed by fastest final 3 km run. So yes am super happy with my form.”

So he should be, just as his joy on his success is well justified. “I won this title last year, and this year am slightly better so yes, I wanted this title again. As I said I went hard from the start to divide the group and never looked back.”

“To tell you the truth I was surprised with Mark Zammit. He was constantly there a few seconds behind. He is well known as a strong swimmer not as a runner but he improved a lot in running especially on the first 5 km we entered transition together which was not what I was hoping because I knew he was a good cyclist.”

“On the bike he was still there and the final 3 km I started getting cramps on my leg but did not panic. Mark managed to take lead for the first time but he gave some time to settle on the run and attacked on the last km to eventually win the race!”

This win and the manner through which it came about confirm Spiteri’s progression, something that he himself is somewhat surprised of.

“Well last December I did a personal best on 5km road race, and recently came 3rd in a cycling time trial so yes, as long as personal bests and podium finishes keep coming, I am progressing. I am abit surprised because am getting older and speed decreases by age but am still there battling it out with athletes 10 years younger my age,” he jokes before moving on to talk about his plans.

Here, it isn’t surprising to hear that he is looking at the ironman, seeing that this seems to be the ‘in’ thing this year among tri-athletes. “This year I am moving to longer distances: half ironman and ironman. I believe my body eventually will be better in endurance long distances and with the particular training I can reach good times in longer races.”

“In July I'll be doing the Ironman in Austria (3.8km swim / 180km cycle / 42 km run)...its tough and crazy but for me its a personal challenge: the Ironman has been in my thoughts these last 5 years and now its time to tackle my dream.”

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