Dixon is joining the Elite
MORPETH STARLET IS BEST OF BRITISH AS HE SEES OFF RIVALS AT MALLORY PARK
DANIEL Dixon is proving a dab hand at not one sport but three, writes TONY HODGSON.
The 15-year-old from Morpeth continued his great year of success with victory in the Elite Youth British Triathlon Championships at Mallory Park in Liecestershire.
That success meant Dixon, a pupil at Morpeth’s King Edward VI School, also triumphed in the 2017 Elite Super Series.
This is decided on the best three results in the six Series events, Dixon winning three of them and placed second twice – including in the Elite Youth Duathlon Championships.
This was all achieved despite Dixon competing a year young (15/16 years).
The Mallory Park race got underway with a deep-water swim over a 400-metre course and as it progressed a group started to break away.
Dixon exited the swim in third and after a quick transition four athletes formed a leading group on the bike – including Dixon’s main rival Marcus Dey.
They all worked together over the 10km technical course to increase the gap to the chasing group.
Into transition two and, after a quick change for the 2.5km run, Dixon and Dey went straight to the front – running stride for stride until the final 800 metres when Dixon made his move.
He kicked away to win with 16 seconds to spare to triumph and also secure the Super Series title.
Proud dad Gordon said: “Daniel works so hard at the sport and deserves the success he is enjoying.
“To win when up against athletes a year older than him and with greater experience is a remarkable achievement. Daniel wants to go to the very top of his sport.
“He is doing so well but he knows there is a long way to go before that can be achieved.
“He has always been strong at all three disciplines of triathlon and that is the reason why he has done so well in the five years since he took up the sport.”
Dixon just missed out recently on European Championship selection at Blenheim when finishing sixth – the top four qualifying in the 15 to 17 years age group as well as the first 15-year-old.
The youngster was also the topranked youth for the season after winning the British Triathlon test day at Loughborough in April.
He also won local events at Ashington and Woodhorn against the best North East adults.
Dixon enjoyed a successful 201617 cross-country season, winning the North East title in December, then finishing fifth at the Northern Cross-Country Championships and 18th at the Inter-Counties Championships.
He also won the North East Cross – Country Series with four wins and was second in the County Schools Cross-Country Championships and third at the Schools Inter-Counties Championships.
Competing in cycle time trials through the summer, the teenager set new figures for 25 miles of 55.03, rode 10 miles in 20.32 and qualified for the National GHS Junior 10-Mile TT Championships at Peterborough.
He set personal bests in the pool for 200 (2.03) and 400 metres (4.22), while on the track he set new pbs for 3,000 metres (9.05) and 1,500 metres (4.18) – even though he has only had two outings.
Dixon’s next targets are the British Cycling Hill Climb Championships at the end of October, then a competitive winter cross-country season.
Next year he has the opportunity to qualify for the Youth Olympic Games as well as the Youth European Championships.
These will be his main focus, as well as the British Triathlon and Duathlon Championships and defending his Super Series title.
TO feature in Grassroots Sport e-mail tony.hodgson@trinitymirror.com or ring 0191 201 6348.