Jake eyes podium finish on Gold Coast

THREE years after making his debut on one of triathlon’s killer courses, Jake Birtwhistle is one race away from becoming the first Australian in eight years to finish on the podium of the World Triathlon Series.

The Tassie Commonwealth Games silver medallist heads into the season-ending event on the Gold Coast tomorrow in second spot on the rankings, trailing two-time Spanish world champion Mario Mola by 824 points.

With 1250 points on offer for the winner there is an outside chance Birtwhistle could become the first Australian to win the WTS if he produces the race of his life, but his main focus will be holding off Vincent Luis (France) and Richard Murray (South Africa), who are snapping at his heels.

The last Aussie to finish on the WTS podium was Brad Kahlefeldt in 2010.

“It was like I’d been thrown into the deep end, particularly over the toughest course,” Birtwhistle said of his WTS debut in Auckland in March 2015, where he finished 38th.

“But as the year went on I actually snared some top-10 finishes — including ninth in the very next round in Yokohama. And those results — and results in the middle of the field — kept coming. I knew I just had to keep hanging in there but it was a massive jump.

“Now I’m stepping up to the podium … it’s nice to finally be in there.

“You just have to stay focused and believe that your time will come … but I was impatient, I kept pushing and I wanted it as soon as possible.”

Birtwhistle will be joined on the Australian team by an allstar support cast in Olympic trio Aaron Royle, Ryan Bailie and Ryan Fisher and another Commonwealth Games young gun Luke Willian, who will all relish racing at a home WTS grand final.

The local women will once again be led by 2017 WTS silver medallist Ashleigh Gentle, with their event unfolding today.

Meanwhile, a strong bike segment from Taylor Knibb gave the American the under-23 women’s title yesterday, beating Frenchwoman Cassandre Beaugrand.