THIS weekend’s Noosa Triathlon will shine bright with stars as 2014 champion Ashleigh Gentle and world champion Jake Birtwhistle entering the race as favourite following the withdrawal of defending champion Aaron Royle.
With ambitions for next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro Birtwhistle and Gentle will continue to stake their claim for a for a Rio Olympics berth.
A win in Noosa would provide the perfect end to Birtwhistle’s year, a year that saw him claim the ITU U23 Triathlon World Championship Title in Chicago in September.
“I’ll be there giving it 100 per cent of whatever I bring to the start line. Whenever I’m lining up to race I’m there to do my best, with a podium definitely within reach,” Birtwhistle said.
“Noosa Tri is the most iconic triathlon in Australia with an honour roll including the best of the best. I’d love to add my name to that list.”
In-form Peter Kerr enters the race after a convincing victory in the London Triathlon in August 2015.
“I am pretty confident of a good result in Noosa, I believe I can be right in contention for a spot on the podium but will of course need to produce a good performance to challenge the other guys out there,” Kerr said.
Royle was the first Australian to punch his ticket to the Rio Olympics with a rousing sixth place finish at the 2016 Rio Test Event in August and was set on a three-peat Noosa Tri domination. Yesterday came the crushing news that he had suffered a severe tear in his left calf.
“I’m shattered. I was actually close to career best form and had my sights set on a third Noosa title to wrap up what has been an amazing year making the Olympic team and all,” a disappointed Royle said this week.
The women’s race looks set to be a battle, with any number of athletes possessing the pedigree to take the top spot on the podium.
Gentle, a two-time Noosa Triathlon champion, is the notable favourite and defending champion in the women’s race, but will be up against another former champion the in-form Emma Moffatt, fresh off victory at last weekend’s Nepean Triathlon.
“Noosa Triathlon has been good to me over the four years I’ve competed and I am looking forward to racing hard once again to try and defend my title,“ Gentle said.
“The new element of the ocean swim has everybody excited, Noosa Main Beach is simply stunning and it makes sense to showcase its beauty within the triathlon.
“To win at Noosa means a great deal, it’s an iconic event that is cherished by many Australian triathletes, especially us Queenslanders.”
Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival is a five-day hallmark event from 28 October to 1 November that includes a stacked line-up of events for all ages and abilities.
The schedule includes the Coates Hire Noosa Legends Triathlon, Subaru Noosa Australian Open Criterium and Noosa Asics Bolt which attract premium fields and sporting legends.
A record field of over 8300 triathlon competitors will set out to achieve their finish line goal at the 2015 Noosa Triathlon on Sunday 1 November.
