A series finale is Bevi’s solution
NORTHCLIFFE Ironman Matt Bevilacqua says NutriGrain Iron Series organisers should consider running the postponed Round 3 on a weekend of its own as a blockbuster finale to the competition.
Sunday’s round at North Bondi was postponed after all beaches were closed due to the tsunami threat originating from an underwater volcano eruption near Tonga.
Organisers are yet to make a decision about what to do with the postponed round.
The most obvious choice is to run four rounds from Kurrawa when the series resumes on February 4. However, Bevilacqua says the chance to make a stand-alone final round is a spectacle that should be considered.
“Four is definitely doable. You’re talking about some of the fittest athletes going around – we can race three times a day if needed,” he said.
“But I think we want to spread the series out whenever we can … I think the best outcome would be to have a nice finale round a few weeks after (Kurrawa).”
Bevilacqua, 28, currently sits second in the overall standings behind series leader and reigning champion Ali Day.
He finished second to Day in Saturday’s Wavecross eliminator format following a fourth in Friday’s opening round.
“I’m definitely happy with where I am overall,” Bevilacqua said.
“I’m just starting to really feel like I’m at the top of my game again after feeling a bit off the past few weeks and after last year’s series and struggling with injury, so it’s really positive in that regard.
“After last year’s series I had a bit to prove. Being in touch with Ali is good, but four points is still a decent gap.
“I really need to make sure I close that in the next few rounds.
“He’s at the top of his game at the moment. I don’t think there’s many ironmen ever, in the sport’s history, that could have gone with him in the flat conditions (on Saturday).”
The series next heads to Bevilacqua’s former club, Kurrawa, for rounds four to six beginning February 4.
The big wave specialist is hopeful Kurrawa throws up some significant swells to aid his challenge of running down the seemingly unstoppable Day.
“Kurrawa was my home for almost six years so I would be very comfortable (racing) there,” Bevilacqua said.
“Three rounds in some nice surf, anything can happen. It’s going to be really exciting to watch.
“(The Gold Coast) is the home to so many of us (series competitors) and I think it will be a great place to finish up the series.”
Bevilacqua’s clubmate Harriet Brown sits equal-first with Lana Rogers in the Ironwoman standings.