WAIS scholarship holder Ryan Bailie has finished fifth at the weekend’s ITU World Triathlon event in Auckland as he mixed it with the world’s best in New Zealand.
The Wollongong-based Bailie, Australia’s highest ranked male at the end of 2014, demonstrated the experience and fight he has gained in recent years after he rode and climbed his way into a lead pack of 15 during the 40km bike leg alongside eventual winner and Olympic bronze medallist Jonathon Brownlee and second placed Spaniard Javier Gomez, the London silver medallist.
And while not even four-time world champion Gomez was a match for Brownlee, who broke his Auckland hoodoo, it certainly showed Bailie is well and truly on track for another big year as the Australians set their sights on Olympic qualification.
Bailie – who won a bronze medal at last year’s Commonwealth Games in the mixed team relay – clocked a race time of 1:56.53 for fifth place, highlighted by an excellent bike leg, in which he was the only finishing triathlete to record a sub 1:05.00hr time for the 40km.
His efforts on the bike, closed a gap on the lead group which placed him in the medal mix heading into the closing run, in an impressive showing from the West Aussie.
Australia’s National Performance Director Bernard Savage said; “Bailie’s effort to get across to the front bike group from where he was, scored 11/10 for mine and the way he reacted quickly, showed quality and commitment and a real tactical nous.”
“He then ran really well and to finish up fifth like he did last year was a good result for Ryan and it sets him up for a good crack at the Gold Coast and the rest of the Series.”
The Gold Coast will host round three of the Series in conjunction with the Luke Harrop Memorial on April 11 and 12.
In other Triathlon news:
Triathlon Australia in conjunction with the Australian Commonwealth Games Association recently announced an exciting 22-strong squad to prepare for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Ryan Bailie is a member of the 22-strong squad, where he is joined by fellow WAIS scholarship holder Jaz Hedgeland, as well as emerging WA talents; Kira Hedgeland – younger sister of Jaz – and Kenji Nener.
Bernard Savage was optimistic that another generation of Australian triathletes would get the opportunity to race on home soil.
“The opportunities afforded our triathletes who raced in Melbourne in 2006 was something they will always remember,” Savage said.
“There is nothing like a home Games and the Gold Coast has certainly developed into one of those cities that is synonymous with international triathlon; they staged a World Championships in 2009 and we will stage a round of the ITU World Triathlon Series next month and a Grand Final in three years time.
“For our athletes to get the chance to make this team for 2018 and to race in front of their family and friends will be a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
-TriathlonAus
