Gentle on cusp of big success: Drew
TRIATHLON Australia high performance director Justin Drew says he has faith Ashleigh Gentle is on the cusp of finding individual success following mixed Commonwealth Games results.
Gentle fell short of her own expectations with a fifth in Thursday’s women’s race but bounced back to help deliver gold to Australia in the mixed team relay. The 27-year-old Gold Coaster turned a 15-second deficit from women’s silver medallist Jessica Learmonth into a 30-second lead following blistering bike and run legs.
Australia’s leading female triathlete now has three major Games to her name following the 2014 Glasgow Common- wealth Games (ninth) and Rio Olympics (26th).
Drew said he believed Gentle’s continued improvement would land her a win on the big stage soon.
“You have to have trust in your athletes to respond to difficult situations and Ash certainly did that,” Drew said.
“The credit has to go to Ash. She was the one that reset her focus, worked with the team around her to put Thursday behind her and to deliver the race she did in the relay was outstanding.”
The introduction of the relay and the implementation of the 750 swim, 20km bike and 5km sprint format at the Games prompted Triathlon Australia to overlook Olympians Aaron Royle and Ryan Bailie in favour of youngsters Matt Hauser (fourth) and Luke Willian (eighth). It’s a move Drew said had been justified.