Ironman title fight for family’s future
ant for me and the future going forward. I’m pretty hungry to get back there and get back into the top 10 and be that first Aussie again.
Van Berkel has raced for the world title in each of the past three years, securing seventh in 2014 before finishing a disappointing 36th and 19th respectively in 2015 and 2016.
The 33-year-old said his previous appearances in the race have taught him valuable lessons that have him ready to chase his best result yet on Hawaii’s ‘Big Island’.
“The goal for me is to get back in the top 10,” Van Berkel admitted.
“It’s a very tactical race now and you can’t have a weakness.
“You have to be on you’re A-game while swimming, biking and running.
“My bike has let me down the past two years but I’m confident this year I’ll have a better ride.
“I know my run can mix it with the best and every year I have swum in the front pack.”
Van Berkel will race in the 70.3 Sunshine Coast half-ironman on September 10 in what will be his final hitout before racing in Hawaii.
It’s a race he has mixed feelings about due to the affect it has had on his Kona performances.
“The last time I did Sunny Coast before Kona it was probably the easiest win I have ever had,” Van Berkel said.
“I went on to Hawaii five weeks later and had the worst ironman race that I have ever done.
“But every time I race bad before an ironman or Hawaii I have a good race.”