Toyota Ironman Australia 30th Anniversary Pro Preview

We will see  one of the strongest male fields in a while take to the start line this Sunday at the Toyota Ironman Australia in Port Macquarie. The 2011, 2012 and 2013 champions are all racing. In addition 3 x World ITU Champion Peter Robertson is also  racing along with New Zealand’s Graham O’Grady. Everyone will be watching Peter Robertson. As he gains experience and a long course base it is only a matter of time before he claims a  podium and a win.

Last year Ambrose finished just over two minutes behind winner Elliot Holtham after the Canadian ran a 2:53 to eat up the deficit he had to Ambrose out of T2. Nick Baldwin ran a 2:56 last year for 3rd overall. In 2011 Jacobs swim and bike combo was very quick and he held on with a 2:59 run with an injured foot to take the victory.

In the women’s race New Zealand’s Michelle Bremer will be a big threat to the locals. In addition 2009 Ironman WA 2nd place female Christie Sym will also be one to watch. Sym is back training under Grant Giles of Aeromax Team (along with Peter Robertson, Tim Berkel, Brad Kahlefledt amongst others). After a long break Sym is back training full time.  A  2nd behind Melissa Hauschildt in Melbourne at the start of February showed a glimpse of the form Sym is capable of.

Ironman Media Release…

(Melbourne/Port Macquarie Monday April 30, 2015) – Australians are fittingly the hot favourites to win the 30th anniversary of the Toyota IRONMAN Australia at Port Macquarie this weekend.

The men’s race is shaping as a battle between previous champions in Australians Pete Jacobs (2011), Paul Ambrose (2012) and Luke Bell (2013).

Meanwhile in the women’s race the smart money will be on 2012 champion Michelle Gailey or last year’s runner up Lisa Marangon, in an all Aussie show down.

There could be a dark horse in the men’s race in the shape of three-time ITU world champion, fellow Australian Peter Robertson, who was third at IRONMAN Cairns last year.

Jacobs, who has struggled to recapture the form that saw him win IRONMAN Australia in 2011 and go on to claim the World Championship in Hawaii the following year, will be hoping for a return to his best.

“I’m very happy to be going back to this race which will be big for the 30th Anniversary. I’m looking forward to stepping back through time over the weekend,’ he said.

He expects the race to come down the run leg, with the outcome being decided by a case of “whoever slows down last wins.”

The 2012 champion Ambrose will be looking to go one better than his 2nd place finish last year and believes his faultless preparation will have him well placed to claim the podium’s top spot.

The 30-year-old is looking forward to testing his legs over what he describes as ‘one of the few honest courses’ on the IRONMAN circuit.

“Winning the 30th anniversary race would mean the world to me,” said Ambrose. “I’ve taken a lot of races half-heartedly, even this one in the past, but I’ve sacrificed a lot this summer preparing for this one.

“I want to give this race the effort it deserves. It has so much history and deserves nothing but my best.”

Last year’s runner-up Marangon believes she is in the shape capable to go one better and claim her first IRONMAN title at Toyota IRONMAN Australia.

“I wasn’t that far off in 2014, so that has been driving me,” she said. “I did my first IRONMAN as an age grouper at IRONMAN Australia in Forster and ever since then it has been my dream to win it.”

Gailey would love nothing more than to win her second IRONMAN Australia title in the event’s 30th year.

“Port Macquarie is one of my favourite courses to race, it is tough, honest and the atmosphere is amazing,” she said.

“To win IRONMAN Australia on its 30th Anniversary would be really special, I have really been enjoying training especially after a few health issues it makes even more exciting just to be out and toeing the line this year.”

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres said: “We look forward to welcoming athletes from across Australia and the world this week when they come to NSW to compete in the Toyota IRONMAN Australia Port Macquarie.”

“This event has been proudly secured until 2018 by the NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, ensuring it remains a key fixture of the NSW Events Calendar and a highlight of the international IRONMAN circuit,” he said

Race day on Sunday 3 May includes over 1800 age group athletes chasing their own personal bests.

The professionals start at 6.30am for the 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42.2km run, with the winner expected approximately 2.45pm local time.

Men
1 JACOBS, Pete AUS
2 AMBROSE, Paul AUS
3 BELL, Luke AUS
4 ROBERTSON, Peter AUS
5 BALDWIN, Nick SYC
6 VABROUSEK, Petr CZE
7 BURTON, Matt AUS
8 O’GRADY, Graham NZL
9 READ, Carl NZL
10 SVOBODA, Josef CZE
11 BROWN, Daniel AUS
12 BILLEAU, Simon FRA
13 FULLER, Brian AUS
14 JENKINS, Darren AUS
15 KERIN, Lachlan AUS
16 MARTIN, Luke AUS
17 MCGUIGAN, Dan AUS
18 RANDALL, Matt NZL

Women
21 MARANGON, Lisa AUS
22 BURKE, Melanie NZL
23 BREMER, Michelle NZL
24 GAILEY, Michelle AUS
25 FLEMING, Jessica AUS
26 WU, Michelle AUS
27 DUFFIELD, MichelleAUS
28 SYM, Christie AUS
29 GREGORY, Caroline USA
30 SORRELL, Marie NZL
31 JURJEVIC, Marina AUS

Toyota IRONMAN Australia is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.

About IRONMAN

The iconic IRONMAN ® Series of events is the largest participation sports platform in the world. Since the inception of the IRONMAN brand in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE ® by crossing finish lines at the world’s most challenging endurance races. Recognized for excellence through distinguished events, world-class athletes and quality products, World Triathlon Corporation, owner and operator of the IRONMAN Series, has grown from a single race to a global sensation with nearly 190 events across unique brands: IRONMAN, IRONMAN 70.3 ®, 5150 „¢ Triathlon Series, Iron Girl ®, IRONKIDS ® and Multi Sport Festivals. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.