Matt to revel in shorter format

IRONMAN Matt Bevilacqua says he is back to “where I’m supposed to be” after notching a second career win in the Nutri-Grain series at North Wollongong.

Bevilacqua yesterday beat a gun field in the eliminator triple sprint format to seal a win that propelled him to third place in the overall standings.

Bevilacqua had a breakthrough summer in 2015-16, finishing third overall and snaring a first race win.

But he was flattened last season after concentrating on endurance events including the Molokai to Oahu paddleboard race and Coolangatta Gold.

“I missed out last year for a round win but I’m stoked to be back to where I’m supposed to be this year,” the Kurrawa ironman said.

“I think the Coolangatta Gold took it out of me last year but this year I’m really focused and I’m back to shortcourse fit for racing.

“I got Molokai done but I’m back this summer feeling really good.”

With doubt over the format and future of the Nutri-Grain series, Bevilacqua has concentrated on endurance racing during the off-season, winning three consecutive titles in the famous Molokai race.

He sacrifed the Coolangatta Gold this year, knowing he needed to sharpen up ahead of a six-race Nutri-Grain series.

“I was very long-distance fit last summer and not that short, sharp racing fit,” he said.

“There’s six rounds raced over four months (in the NutriGrain series), so it’s not easy.

“The Gold is definitely a fantastic race but I had to miss out this year, which really hurt.”

After seeing best friend and Kurrawa teammate Matt Poole break through for a series win last summer, Bevilacqua is determined to add his own name to the ranks of Nutri-Grain champions.

“I think I warm into the series all the time,” he said.

“I won Round 3 two years ago, and it’s Round 3 that I’ve won this time and I’ve steadily got better and better.

I THINK THE COOLANGATTA GOLD TOOK IT OUT OF ME LAST YEAR BUT THIS YEAR I’M REALLY FOCUSED MATT BEVILACQUA

“In the series there’s lots of weird results and anything could go any way, so you’ve just got to keep a positive mindset and keep grinding on.”

The news wasn’t as good for nine-time series winner Shannon Eckstein, who finished 14th overall after battling an ankle injury.

“I thought if I got an opportunity to, I’d try to get through (the first race),” Eckstein said.

“Eighth is my worst result, so if I got into that final eight, then it was like I’d done my job, I was going to improve on that.

“But I couldn’t run.”