Members of the Orange Cycle and Triathlon Club took to the tracks and roads of Gosling Creek on Sunday for some internal duathlons in preparation for the approaching triathlon season.

The Orange club – nicknamed the Piranhas – will be looking to wrap up a hat-trick of Inter-Club Series titles when the regional competition gets under way in November.

Before then, several members of the club will be journeying to Yarrawonga, Victoria on October 21-22 in an attempt to qualify for world championships in both sprint and standard distance events.

While Sunday’s conditions in the water were a little too chilly to add a swim leg – outside of the club’s traditional breaking of the ice – Piranhas vice-president Kim Dale said the run-bike-run format was a great way to shake out some competitive cobwebs.

She said both the 50-strong turn out and form of members augured well for upcoming events.

“It’s looking like it will be a really great year for the club,” Dale said.

“All going to plan we should have some really great results.”

Dale highlighted Sunday’s performance by Dave Searle as a particularly positive sign for the club’s defence of its Inter-Club crown.

“Dave’s a newbie to the sport but won the race today. We’re hoping he’s going to have a really good season,” she said.

One Piranha who won’t be lining up in the early-season events is Dave Hunter, who suffered a broken collarbone during a training ride on Saturday.

While admitting Hunter’s absence is “disappointing”, Dale pointed to the club’s “really strong junior group” as a key to a successful season.

“We’ve just got a really strong club,” she said.