Mooloolaba next stop for Rio hopefuls
Mooloolaba, Queensland (10 March, 2016) – Saturday’s ITU Mooloolaba Triathlon World Cup will see Rio Olympic hopeful Ashleigh Gentle of Australia aiming to go one better than her second place finish at last weekend’s World Triathlon Series season opener in Abu Dhabi.
“Mooloolaba will be less pressure and I know I will be a lot calmer leading into the race than last weekend - and that will be a good thing,” Gentle said.
Her Gold Coast teammate and dual Olympian Emma Moffatt has spent the off season honing her cycling skills. Moffatt has been working with noted Gold Coast cycling coach, former Commonwealth Games and Tour rider Steve Rooney.
“Steve is so passionate and we have been able to work on a lot of different skill-based things on the bike,” Moffatt said.
“He’s a great teacher who has taught me things I never knew before in our once a week group rides and I think I’ve progressed a long way.
“It will be good to have a hit out – my first race since last November and I’ve done a lot of training since then.
While Australia’s best performer at last year’s Rio Test Event, Gillian Backhouse will be out to build her confidence as she too presses her Rio claims.
The three top Aussies are part of a world-class women’s field of 53 athletes from 28 countries who will converge on the Sunshine Coast for the 750m swim, 20km bike and five kilometre run.
The men’s race will feature dual Olympian Australia’s Courtney Atkinson who will spearhead a field of 72 athletes as he continues his bid to qualify for a third Olympics.
He will face stiff competition from Abu Dhabi winner, Spain’s Mario Mola, and a full complement of Australians including; Drew Box, Cameron Good, Matt Baker, Luke Willian and Marcel Walkington.
David Hauss, the 2015 winner from France, will be looking to go back to back.
The 25-year-old Gentle admits she is still recovering from her brave silver medal winning effort in Abu Dhabi last weekend which has given her an enormous confidence booster in the race for one of three Olympic places on offer.
Mooloolaba provides the perfect warm up to the WTS Gold Coast race on April 9, the last opportunity for an automatic Rio nomination, with the first Australian male and female to finish in the top 10 to claim those two automatic nominations.
Gentle dug deeper than ever in Abu Dhabi to claim second behind Great Britain’s Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jodie Stimpson with fellow Brit, Welsh woman Helen Jenkins third.
“Abu Dhabi was a tough one that’s for sure and I just eased my way back into light work when I arrive back on Monday night,” Gentle said.
“I had a light swim Tuesday morning and will spend most of the week recovering in what will be a more relaxed approach to last week’s race.
“I was really nervous before Abu Dhabi, knowing full well the selectors were watching and it was an important race over the Olympic Distance.
Atkinson will be looking for another solid hit out in Mooloolaba after a strong showing in Abu Dhabi.
“Getting the chance to again race guys like Mario Mola (ESP) and some of the best in the world is always a good thing,” Atkinson said.
“Always more than happy to race Mario and the rest of the Spanish guys. It is a good benchmark although sprint racing is not right up my alley these days but it will be good to have that quicker hit out and to work on your skills.”
Mola was in devastating form in Abu Dhabi, taking over from where he left off after taking out last year’s WTS Grand Final in Chicago.
“I love the race venue and the atmosphere around the event that is going on during the weekend, so I’m looking forward to being on the start line on Saturday,” he said.
“I’m staying in Noosa for the next few weeks until the next World Triathlon Series race on the Gold Coast.
“The weather is nice and hot and we have a great team here, so it should be the perfect preparation for the next couple of races.”
Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival will be held from Friday 11 – Sunday 13 March
For further information www.mooloolabatri.com
Official press conference which will preview the top contenders will be hosted at 1pm (12.50pm arrival) Friday, 11 March at Mooloolaba Surf Club, the conference room upstairs (access via the main entrance).
Mooloolaba Triathlon ITU World Cup athlete start lists:
Elite women (Race start: Saturday 12 March, 11.45am)
Elite men (Race start: Saturday 12 March, 3.00pm)
Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland as part of a growing calendar of sporting, cultural and regional events across the State.
Photo credit: Eyes Wide Open IMAGES
For media enquiries please contact >>
Courtney Akrigg
Marketing & Media Manager, Multi Sport
----------------------------------------
IRONMAN®
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Issued on behalf of Triathlon ITU by
Ian Hanson| Media Manager
Ian Hanson| Media Manager Triathlon Australia Managing Director
Hanson Media Group | P O Box 299 | West Burleigh Qld 4219
Phone: +61 7 5522 5556 | Mobile 0407 385 160 | Fax: +61 7 5522 5557
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | www.hansonsportsmedia.com.au