Gentle’s early hopes
ASHLEIGH Gentle says an early arrival in Europe has given her the time to build crucial fitness ahead of the Leeds leg of the World Triathlon Series.
The Gold Coast triathlete conceded she went into WTS Yokohama, where she still managed to finish fourth, on May 12 underdone after taking the time to soak in all the recent Commonwealth Games.
Australia’s leading female triathlete said the hangover had well and truly passed after opting to fly straight to Europe following the Japanese race as she prepares to take to the line in Leeds on Sunday.
“For the first time I kept travelling onto Europe after Yokohama WTS,” Gentle said.
“It’s been great to have some time to settle into our base in Vitoria Gasteiz and prepare for Leeds.
“I stayed and soaked up the Commonwealth Games experience until the closing ceremony, so I guess I felt a little underdone leading into Yokohama.
“I’ve put in some consistent work and feel as though I’ve definitely built on my strength and fitness from last month.
“I didn’t have the best of races in Leeds last year but I really loved racing here in the UK, the event and crowds were amazing. I’m happy to be back.”
Gentle was also named in Australia’s provisional fourperson team alongside Charlotte McShane and Olympians Aaron Royle and Ryan Bailie for the Nottingham leg of the WTS mixed relay series, held overnight.
The 27-year-old was the only member of Australia’s gold medal winning mixed relay team from the Commonwealth Games while McShane was part of last year’s successful world mixed relay team that won the 2017 world title in Hamburg.