Richard Willmore shouldn't have been competing at the SA Triathlon Championships way back in 1991.
Up until a few weeks prior, the tall Capetonian had been in the form of his (tri) life. Strong performances in all of his races had culminated in a great fourth place at the "other" national championships, otherwise known as the highly competitve and prestigious Fedlife Interprovincial Triathlon in Port Elizabeth. Yes, Richard's star was certainly rising until an untimely bike crash while training threw things into disarray. Diagnosed with a fractured wrist, his season seemed to be over, and with it all dreams of Springbok selection And he certainly seemed to agree, saying that he was retired and going to focus on his career as a chartered accountant.
But all that changed rather quickly. After indulging in copious amounts of chocolate (Tex Bars to be exact), a change in heart and mindset on the eve of the race saw Richard arrive in the Greek-themed resort of Club Mykonos, bike and tog bag in hand. You can change your mind he said, whilst clipping his shoes to his pedals. Interestingly, and besides the enforced rest and rejuvenation, Richard had another ace up his sleeve. In the midst of his own racing sabbatical, friend and defending champion Tim Stewart lent his disc wheel to his younger protege. It was risk, reckoned Richard, what with the notorious "Cape Doctor" (no pun intended) blowing the proverbial bat out of hell that day. But with cycling being his strength, he needed every little advantage if he was going to succeed.
The race itself was one of both surprise and attrition. Barring perennial contender and super-swimmer Kevin Richards, none of the favourites featured that day. And this attrition even affected the PE-based Springbok. After pulling away from the rest of the field literally from the first stroke in Langebaan Lagoon, Kevin started the running leg with a seemingly insurmoutable 3:30 lead. Yet Richard Willmore and Jaco Loots were chipping away, as was then-seventeen year old Conrad Stoltz and Cape Town's Paddy Murphy. Kevin eventually slowed to a walk as Jaco, and then Richard and Conrad passed him in the final kilometres, this unheralded trio making up the 1991 SA Championships podium in that order.
It was a crowning moment for Richard, though. Sure, some may say that second place is first loser but I'm not sure if that's always a correct analogy. After all, it was the great Rob Barel who once credited his perennial runner-up status (and odd monumental victory) to his long and illustrious (and enjoyable) career. And like eventual winner Jaco, Richard's performance that day was testament to staying consistent, throwing caution to the wind (another pun intended) and not letting the adverse conditions get into his head.
OK, maybe the disc wheel helped a bit too.
