After a disappointing 2008 season, Kona UK's Scottish expat James Ouchterlony got his 2009 season off to a flying start with a convincing victory in the 12th Fuertebike Marathon held on the island of Fuerteventura on February 21.
Ouchterlony conquered a 70km loop course with a series of hills in the last 10km. He settled in at the front of the lead group from the start and set a relentless pace, which rapidly whittled the front group down to just three riders; Ouchterlony, Orbea's World Cup cross country star Ruben Ruzafa and Italy's current Marathon Champion Mike Felderer.
With 10km to go the attacks started. Ouchterlony comfortably matched Ruzafa's increases in pace, but Felderer lost touch and then sight of the lead two. Ruzafa, Spain's current cross country champion, kept the pressure on, constantly attacking Ouchterlony, who responded easily each time. With 7km to go, Ouchterlony successfully countered what was to be Ruzafa's last attack, and he rode away to win in 2:25 with a one-minute advantage. Felderer was third, a further 1:30 in arrears.
Ouchterlony's win came after a 2008 that frustrated him with an underlying throat infection that would not go away during the second half of the season. Then during the off season, he took a few months of rest to speed his recovery along.
