TRIATHLON

Aussies Take On The World At Super League Hamilton Island

By Super League Triathlon

With the clock counting down to Super League Hamilton Island, a speedy and youthful Australian short-course contingent looks forward to taking on the world in their own back yard.

Two of the young Aussies, Ryan Fisher and Ryan Bailie, were on the country’s Rio Olympics triathlon squad, while a third, Jake Birtwhistle, just narrowly missed selection.

Birtwhistle is the youngest at 22 years of age, but this U23 world champion is out to prove a point. After not being picked for Rio because the selectors thought the hilly race would not suit his strengths, Birtwhistle beat world champions Javier Gomez and Jonathan Brownlee at the French Grand Prix race in Dunkerque and took second behind Mario Mola at the sprint-distance WTS Hamburg, beating Fisher and Bailie across the line. It was the best an Australian man had finished in a World Triathlon Series race since 2011.

“The great thing about Super League Triathlon is that it is totally new for this generation of triathletes,” said Birtwhistle, whose speed on the run is said to take after Jonathan Brownlee.

“To follow in the footsteps of someone like Jonny is something I can take a bit of confidence from and move forward with that. No one has much experience racing events like this. The top guys of ITU or long course won’t necessarily be the top guys of Super League Triathlon.”

Birtwhistle has been preparing based out of New South Wales with the famous Wollongong Wizards squad alongside Bailie.

Bailie has been eyed by fellow competitors as one to watch out for on the Equalizer, a two-stage event which features an opening stage individual cycling time trial whose winner (the “King of the Hill”) can set up a time advantage for the second stage swim-run-swim-bike-run.
 

Bailie said, “People will probably look at me and think, ‘You’re a slight kind of guy’ and can’t put the power down compared to some of the Ironman guys, but the stage is still quite short. And once we get to the hill I think that’s where I’ll be able to take advantage. I’m not scared to be aggressive on the bike and just go for it.”

Fisher, the younger of the two Ryans, does most of his training on the Gold Coast and may be the best-acclimated of them all. “I haven’t really changed my training structure too much from normal but have added a few more elements of speed than what I would usually do,” he said. “I might throw in a few shorter swim/bike/runs with a short rest before going again just to try and simulate the Super League style of racing a bit more.”

Proving Super League Triathlon’s commitment to helping the sport develop, one of Australia’s most promising juniors has been brought on board. Matt Hauser has won the Australian Junior Triathlon Series twice and the Oceania Junior Championships four times. Named part of the Australian Commonwealth Games NextGen squad, he has set his sights on a Tokyo 2020 Olympic berth -- but first must test his mettle against the big shots. Where better than Super League Triathlon?

“Although I've got major respect for the professionals I'll be up against, I won't be turning up to be intimidated,” said Hauser. “I've got no pressure and no expectations; I just can't wait for some hard honest racing. It's a massive opportunity, a fantastic initiative!”

While Australians make up a sizeable percentage of Super League Triathlon athletes (long-course athlete Josh Amberger is also on board), that doesn’t necessarily mean they will be working together to ensure an Australian finishes on top. They are taking a wait-and-see attitude, especially with the new formats and style of racing. Bailie said, “I’m sure I might have a quick word with Jake, or Fisher to see if we can get some sort of advantage but very much when you start it’s all for yourself.”

Birtwhistle concurred, “I think if the opportunity arises we could work together, but I can’t imagine there being a set plan of attack. I don’t think that would work here, everything is going to be so fast and unexpected. You just have to be there and be ready to go with the moves and pick the right times to take matters into your own hands and take the race up the road.”

Fisher only had two words for his fellow competitors: “Be ready.”

Super League Hamilton Island will be broadcast live on ​www.superleaguetriathlon.com​ on 17-19 March 2017 from 1630 AEST.