Image courtesy Tim Carrier, Perth Now
James Hodge is used to winning. Even when he is up against a quality pro field in his first major 70.3 at Bussleton, he finds a way. There are plenty of good athletes out there, but this 20 year old Tasmanian knows how to win.
A strong swim always sets Hodge up for a good day out, coming through T1 in third position, only 8 seconds behind Dylan McNeice. By the time they had completed the 90km ride, Hodge had taken the lead.
In a sign that Hodge will be a superstar of the future he was able to defend his lead on the run which has been his weakness in the past. A solid 1h19m26s was enough to give a fantastic finishing time of 3h 55m 09s, ahead of South Australian Matty White (3.56.33) and Queenslander Callum Millward (3.58.07).
With a qualification spot for IM 70.3 World Championships in the bag it will be great too see the further development of the kid we all know is going to be a world beater.
To find out more about James Hodge, check this interview from last year.
