Gentle secures big deal

ASHLEIGH Gentle has signed with global triathlon team Bahrain Endurance ahead of one of the biggest years of her career.

The Gold Coaster is one of two new triathletes, along with American Ben Kanute, to join the 13-person team as she prepares to compete at the Commonwealth Games and World Triathlon Series.

The move could land Gentle six-figure financial rewards after taking into account her wage, bonuses for individual wins and more if any of her teammates win.

It is important funding for the 26-year-old who is among the favourites for gold at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April and will be looking to go one better in the WTS after finishing second in the series behind Flora Duffy in 2017.

Gentle also secured her first WTS win last year in Montreal.

“The team is full of worldclass athletes so it’s an incredible honour to be picked alongside them,” Gentle said.

“It’s going to be a great benefit to me to be surrounded by those athletes and all the support staff of Bahrain Endurance 13.

“A big goal of mine this year is to be more consistent and put myself in a position in the swim and bike to be vying for those wins more often.

“Another goal is the Commonwealth Games. It’s a massive event for Australia but also for me personally.”

Bahrain Endurance is operated by Sheik Nasser bin Hamad al Khalifa who is also among the team alongside the likes of two-time Ironman 70.3 world champion Javier Gomez and multiple Ironman world champions Daniela Ryf and Jan Frodeno.

Australian triathlon great Chris McCormack helps run the team.

Gentle’s partner and longdistance triathlete Josh Amberger has previously been on the team.

Gentle will still race in green and gold at the Commonwealth Games and WTS races but will wear Bahrain Endurance’s red, white and black triathlon suit at other events.