Conditions not so Gentle ... and Ash loves it
WET and windy conditions combined with a technical bike course may open to door for Ashleigh Gentle to win an unlikely world triathlon title.
The elite men’s and women’s fields are prepared for a battle in today’s ITU World Triathlon Grand Final with temperatures dropping to 13C and 55km/h winds hitting the streets of the Rotterdam course recently, while there is also good chance of rain.
It adds a new edge to a bike course with 120 turns, something that could play into the hands of Gold Coast’s Gentle.
The 26-year-old is ranked second in the series, 493 points behind leader Flora Duffy.
Gentle needs to win and have Duffy finish eighth or worse for her to win the series.
“I’m fit and well ... (and) knowing I am ready to get the best out of myself,” she said.
“I never thought I would be sitting second on the rankings.
“People have been asking me whether I believe winning the series is out of my reach?
“While it looks highly unlikely and I have utmost respect for Flora, it’s triathlon and anything can happen.
“I just have to make sure I do everything in my power to have the best race I can.”
Gentle has been the star of Australia’s women team in 2017, securing her place at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games earlier this year before winning her maiden WTS race in Montreal in August.
Brandon Copeland competed in the under-23 men’s event yesterday while fellow Gold Coasters Jaz Hedgeland and Matt Hauser will feature in the under-23 women’s race and junior men’s race respectively today.
Meanwhile, former Gold Coast triathlete and current Triathlon Australia CEO Miles Stewart has been into the International Triathlon Union’s Hall of Fame.