Bevi staying chilled
MATT Bevilacqua is not going to change the relaxed attitude he believes has him on the cusp of a maiden Nutri-Grain ironman title.
Bevilacqua and former Nutri-Grain champion Ali Day are locked in a battle for the title, with Mermaid Beach’s James Lacy also in the running.
But with Lacy slightly off the pace once athletes discard their worst result of the season, the race comes down to a head-to-head showdown between Day and Bevilacqua at Cronulla on Sunday.
It seems a stressful situation for Bevilacqua, who has a maiden title in his sights.
But the Kurrawa ironman could hardly be more relaxed.
“It’s just another opportunity to race, it’s as simple as that,” he said. “The nerves just aren’t there.
“And I think that’s why I’ve gone so well this season.”
He may be relaxed but Bevilacqua is far from complacent, even against great mate Day, with whom he trained for several years.
“Ali’s been a close friend of mine for years now,” Bevilacqua said of the ironman now racing in the Surfers Paradise cap. “It’s cool to fight out a title with a mate.
“You’re complete rivals on the water but then you come back and I’ll celebrate with him just as he will with me if we win either way.”
Bevilacqua watched another great mate, Kurrawa clubmate Matt Poole, claim the title at North Cronulla last season and can hardly believe he is in a position to do the same on Sunday.
“I’ve built through since I moved from Tassie, it’s been a really rapid acceleration and I haven’t really had a chance to think about it,” he said.
“I always had aspirations and these crazy dreams of winning a series title but this is the first crack I’ve had at one.
“Ali’s won one already and he’s been second twice already, so he’s been there for a while and I think it’s really fresh for me and I haven’t got my head around it yet.”
Day will not give Bevilacqua an inch once the gun goes off but was full of praise for his mate this week.
“I was lucky enough to watch him grow into the athlete he is today,” Day said.
“He’s done so well and it just goes to show how much he’s worked for the victories.”