Podium finish realistic for consistent Sissons
Triathlete Ryan Sissons has had his best year on the international circuit; all he needs to top it off is a quality performance, and result, in the world grand final in Rotterdam late tonight.
Sissons, 29, sits seventh in the world series, after his first top level victory, the Madrid leg of the circuit in May, supplemented by third, fourth, seventh and eighth placings.
For years he’s flattered to deceive but, after reuniting with his former coach Chris Pilone last year, he’s been highly consistent.
“Seventh is the highest I have been. A good result here will secure a place around that. I would love to be on the podium and I’m capable of doing that if the race goes how I want it to,” Sissons said.
He needs a good swim and the forecast of a wet race on a technical bike course could help.
“It’s important to be near the front if you are in a pack on the bike to stay away from troubles.”
Cambridge- based Sissons said his training had given him more confidence. He was going into the race knowing he could “race and run with the best. That is a big change for me”. Andrea Hewitt, who sits third overall in the women’s standings, will be aiming for another strong performance when the elite women race early tomorrow morning. At 35, the Christchurch athlete is as keen and competitive as ever. She’s had two wins and a podium finish this year and will go to the start line trailing only series leader Flora Duffy of Bermuda and Australian Ashleigh Gentle. Her key i s starting strongly. “I have never been dropped if I have made a front group. It is really important I have a good swim,” she said. Hewitt, who has had 107 world series races, won the overall crown in 2011 and was second in 2014. There are 14 New Zealand triathletes competing in the elite races.