Luke Bell.
Luke Bell.
Luke Bell.
Luke Bell.
Luke Bell.
Luke Bell.
Luke Bell.
Luke Bell.
Luke Bell.
Luke Bell.
Luke Bell.
LUKE Bell was keen to finish yesterday's Sufferfest in Warrnambool as quickly as possible and winning the inaugural event wasn't his only motivation.
"I came down with a few clubmates and said we need to finish as quickly as possible so we can get a Kermond's hamburger," he joked .
After finishing the two-kilometre Hopkins River swim , 80km bike ride along Hopkins Point Road and 20km run from the Blue Hole to the breakwater and back twice the burger was well deserved.
Click here to see our Sufferfest 2013 photo gallery.
Bell won in three hours, 39 minutes and 59 seconds.
The Portland export, who is a professional triathlete and has 33 international and national podium finishes to his name, was full of praise for the inaugural event.
"The course was fantastic probably the most picturesque in the world," he said.
"When I heard it was on I knew I wanted to come down.
"We travel overseas to do some long distance triathlons a couple of times a year, so it was good to be able to do one a bit closer to home."
The 34-year-old compared the Hopkins River to a swimming pool.
"The water was so still and the temperature was a lot warmer than I was expecting," he said.
"I had a good swim and made a good transition on to the bike.
"The bike course was a good honest circuit.
"The hill was really tough.
"I'd forgotten how bad it is.
"It's been about 15 years since I rode it so that kept me on my toes."
Bell was unbeatable heading into the final leg, the 20km run where he had a 10-minute lead.
He expanded his lead during the final leg and finished the race 18 minutes ahead of Gregory Farrell.
"The run leg was challenging as well, with lots of sharp pitchy hills and undulating terrain right along," Bell said.
"It was a fantastic course.
"The organisers have done a great job.
"I couldn't fault it."
Stephane Vander Bruggen finished in third place and Camperdown's Deiter McDonald came fourth.
Bell, who is based in Melbourne, said he went into Sufferfest with small goals for each leg.
"The whole plan was to go in and achieve those little goals I set with my coach," he said.
"I started back training last week and the Melbourne Ironman is in three weeks, so it was good to have a hit out before that to see where I'm sitting ahead of the season.
"I'll have a few days' recovery now before getting back into the heavy training."
He said he could see Sufferfest growing into a major event on the triathlon calendar.
"It was so well organised and the course was top notch for a first time event the organisers have done a great job," he said.
"I'll be back next year, and I'll bring plenty of people with me.
"I think this could easily expand to hold 1000 competitors in a few years' time."
Two hundred and fifty people entered Sufferefest and its breakout event Olyfest. Organisers had hoped to attract 150 entries.
jwoolley@fairfaxmedia.com.au