Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific: Top Athletes Will Do Battle in Western Sydney

The world’s best professional and age group triathletes are heading to the Sydney International Regatta Centre (SIRC), Penrith, on Sunday 26th November when the Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship, Western Sydney makes its Australian debut.

Nestled at the base of the stunning Blue Mountains, Ironman 70. 3 Asia-Pacific Championship, Western Sydney’s scenic course provides athletes with a fast racing environment and great post-race relaxation destination, within close proximity to one of Australia’s most dynamic and beautiful capital cities.

Former Ironman 70.3 World Champion and two-time Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Champion Tim Reed is fired up and looking to extend his perfect record in this prestigious regional title.

“The regional championships bring together top pros looking to win a championship title, create a higher standard of racing and a buzz on race day that is electric for both the competitors and spectators. Having an event of this calibre in Sydney allows IRONMAN to showcase what great races they stage to a large audience with top notch pro racing, a great vibe and some inspiring age group stories.”

“My motivation to race as hard as I can be at an all-time high after a little bad luck in my last two races this year. To defend the ASIA PAC title for the third time would obviously feel phenomenal however I’ve learned not to focus too much on the outcome even in Championship races. If I execute re best race I can on the day and it’s not a win, I can still be satisfied.”

“I expect Sam Appleton, Dan Wilson, myself and maybe Aaron Royle pushing each other hard for the win. Another challenge will be the potentially very hot conditions we could be battling as Western Sydney can have some really hot days in November,” he said.

Defending champion Dan Wilson understands what it takes to win on the super quick Western Sydney course and we can be certain that he will be giving it everything in his last professional race.

“The field looks to be an absolute ripper. I believe we’re looking at guys like Reedy (Tim Reed), Monty (Jake Montgomery), Appo (Sam Appleton) who have all been blazing this year, and Aaron Royle is well is going to be a huge threat in his 70.3 debut, so it’s going to be a cracker of a race. My form has been quite good, I feel like I’ve come into my best form all year, which it looks like I’ll need every piece of to compete with the lads.”

“The course doesn’t have any really idiosyncrasies to it, the biggest aspect is probably the heat and long, soul-crushing straights on the run. But I think the biggest challenge will be the quality of blokes belting each other around the course.”

“There will be some red hot racing for sure, with some big heavy hitters, you’ve got last year’s 70.3 World Champ in Reedy, Appo who has just about been untouchable all year, and Bugsy (Aaron Royle) who I reckon has huge potential over this form of racing, so it will be a cracker of a showdown.”

“A win here would mean a lot. I’m finishing up at the end of this year, so Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship, Western Sydney will be my last time out. So to get a win and a regional title in my final race would be really special,” Wilson said.

Making his Ironman 70.3 debut is Olympian Aaron Royle. Fresh from his second place at the iconic Noosa Triathlon, Royle is in top form and keen to immediately make an impression over the longer distance.

“There are a few reasons for racing Western Sydney. I’ve wanted to do a 70.3 race for a few years now but none seemed to fit in well enough with the other racing I was doing. But Western Sydney is close to home, it is the Asia Pacific Champs so the winner qualifies for the 70.3 worlds next year and also guarantees that it will be a strong field.”
“The Commonwealth Games team is announced on 13 November and that will be a priority for next year if I am selected. If not, then it may free up my season a little to race some different races other than the usual ITU series that I am used to.”

“Ironman 70.3 is the area of triathlon that I’ll move up to over the next couple of years then I need to challenge myself by racing against the best athletes over this distance, see where my strengths are and what areas I need to work on,” Royle said.

As the Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship, Western Sydney now offers 60 qualifying slots to the 2018 Ironman 70.3 World Championship, to be held in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa.