Craig Alexander to lead Aussies into world champs battle

Triathlon Australia: 22 September, 2016: Five-time Ironman world champion Craig Alexander will lead a strong five-man Australian contingent into this weekend’s 2016 Oklahoma ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships, USA.

43-year-old Alexander has shown great form this season producing a top ten finish at the recent Ironman 70.3 World Championships. In 2016 he has claimed wins at Ironman 70.3 Putrajaya, Huskisson Long Course and a record breaking win at Ironman 70.3 Busselton, but for Alexander the world long course has been his focus.

Brisbane’s Sam Betten finished 9th at the 2015 edition and is looking for another top ten result, while fellow Brisbane based Josh Amberger will be hoping to crack the top ten after a disappointing 18th place in last years’ race. He has shown the form, finishing just outside the top ten at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship, and if he pulls it altogether on the day is capable of a podium.

The last time Paul Ambrose raced a long course world championship was 2009 in Perth although in British colours, this time will he’ll be in green and gold.

For 22-year-old Victorian Lachlan Kerin, it will be his first taste of racing an elite ITU World Championship.

Expect to see the European’s at the front of this race with the calibre of athlete’s on the start line. Cyril Viennot is back to defend his 2015 ITU World Championship title, the Frenchman set up his win on the bike last year. The Italian pairing of Alberto Casadei and Giulio Molinari are sure to feature in the front part of the race along with Filip Ospaly (CZE).

In addition, 37 Australian age group athletes will be competing at the 2016 ITU World Long Distance Triathlon Championships

Tyler Allan will be defending his 2015 Age Group Long Distance Triathlon Championship in Oklahoma. Tyler will be racing in the 20 to 24 male age category. Tyler will also be the youngest 2016 Australian age group long distance team member.

Phillip Hermitage will be the oldest Australian competitor racing at the event in the 60 to 64 male category. Joining her husband Marion Hermitage who won the 2014 Age Group World Long Course Champion in China will compete in the 50-54 category this year.

The ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships will see athletes complete a 4km swim, 120km bike and 30km run.

The two lap swim is held in Lake Hefner, which is the water supply for Oklahoma City and only swum in for this event. The bike course takes athletes out into the war and humid air of the Oklahoma countryside, it is undulating but the biggest challenge will be the strong country winds. The 3 lap 30km run is predominantly held on the flat and fast confines of Lake Hefner and will get some relief from the fall breezes along the lake.
 
Event Details:    
Saturday 24 September 7.28am (Oklahoma, USA) | 10.28pm AEST

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