Hauser works on tactical lessons from debut
GOLD Coast triathlete Matt Hauser will chase his first elite podium finish when he competes in the Chengdu ITU Triathlon World Cup this weekend.
Hauser, 19, plans to use the lessons from his World Triathlon Series debut on the Gold Coast on April 8 to challenge for a top-three finish in his first World Cup appearance in China.
“A top five would be a really good result,” Hauser said.
“I’ll definitely be chasing that and if I get a podium I get a podium – we will just have to wait and see what happens.
“It’s a pretty strong field with a couple of standout names that will really mix it up so I’m hoping to be up there with them.”
Hauser finished 18th at the Gold Coast event and he said the experience would prove invaluable as he looked to take another step forward this weekend.
“I’ve just been trying to hold my form from the Gold Coast and improve on some little things like tactics in and out of transition and amount of work I do on the bike.
“I have learnt a few things from the Gold Coast race and I think I’m ready to fine-tune it for China.
“I’ve been really training to negative split the run.
“At Gold Coast I felt like I went out too hard and got caught up in the atmosphere of the event and tried to go out with the big guys. That blew me up towards the back end of the run.”
The Chengdu World Cup will feature a sprint-distance qualifying race on Saturday that comprises a 750m swim, 20km bike ride and 5km run.
The top 10 triathletes will earn a spot in Sunday’s final, which includes a 400m swim, 10km bike ride and 2.5km run.