Stacked Pro Field for Western Australia 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship

Nearly 80 pros are set to battle it out this Sunday at IRONMAN 70.3 Western Australia, with series points and regional bragging rights on the line in Busselton.

The race marks the second-to-last stop on the 2024 IRONMAN Pro Series calendar, making it crucial for athletes looking to secure their share of the $1.7 million end-of-season bonus pool. With 2,500 points up for grabs for the winners, several pros could dramatically shake up the standings.

Women's Race: Stage Nielsen Looks to Lock Down Third

Denmark's Maja Stage Nielsen headlines the women's field, currently sitting third in the Pro Series standings. While she can't catch series leaders Jackie Hering and Kat Matthews, a strong showing in Busselton could cement her podium position in the overall standings.

The chase pack is stacked with talent, including Dutch athlete Lotte Wilms who knows the Busselton course well from previous podiums in the full distance event. New Zealand's Hannah Berry brings serious speed as a six-time 70.3 champion, while Els Visser returns to her "second home" course where she's previously landed on the podium.

Keep an eye on Grace Thek and Anna Bergsten as potential spoilers – both are coming in hot with recent podium performances at 70.3 races in Europe and Melbourne respectively.

Men's Race: Barnaby Could Seize Series Lead

The men's race could see a major shake-up in the Pro Series standings. Italy's Gregory Barnaby sits fifth overall but could potentially take the series lead with a win in Busselton. His consistent season includes a sixth at Kona and multiple podiums.

The bike leg should be particularly spicy with powerhouses Kristian Høgenhaug, Robert Kallin, and former pro cyclist Cameron Wurf all known for pushing massive watts on flat courses like Busselton's coastal route.

Adding extra firepower to the field are Olympians Jake Birtwhistle and Jamie Riddle, both making waves in their transition to middle-distance racing. Local hopes rest with Matt Burton and Nick Thompson, both keen to perform in front of a home crowd.