Bring on a tough time

TIM Van Berkel says he will need to overcome the toughest field ever assembled for the Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship in order to win a second title in Cairns on Sunday.

The 33-year-old Byron Bay resident won the race in 2016 and has been targeting a second victory in the 1.9km swim, 90km bike ride and 21.1km swim, ever since.

Among the field will be twotime 70.3 Ironman world champion Javier Gomez, current Ironman New Zealand champion Terenzo Bozzone, Ironman African Championship winner Kyle Buckingham, former Ironman Australia champions David Dellow and Tim Reed and multiple ironman winner Luke McKenzie.

“This will be my sixth time racing in Cairns so I know the course very well,” he said.

“I have great memories so I’m looking forward to returning to beautiful Tropical North Queensland.

“My preparation has been good and I am looking forward to another crack at Ironman Asia-Pacific Champs and racing in such a star studded field.

“After winning the title in 2016 this is a race I have been targeting, I would love to get it back. It is probably the best Ironman Asia-Pacific field ever, so it is going to be tough one to crack but I am up for the challenge.”