Birtwhistle headlines NSWIS raid on Nepean Triathlon podium

Former Under 23 world triathlon champion Jacob Birtwhistle has shaken off his bridesmaid tag at the Nepean Triathlon to lead home Rio Olympian and NSWIS teammate Ryan Bailie at the 2016 event over the weekend.

Runner up to Olympian Aaron Royle in 2014 and 2015, Birtwhistle beat home Bailie, who made it a NSWIS quinella in the men’s event, while up-and-coming NSWIS female stars Natalie van Coevorden and Charlotte McShane placed second and third in the women’s race.

Rio Olympian Ashleigh Gentle of the Gold Coast won the women’s race, while Wollongong’s David Mainwaring rounded out the podium in the men’s event.

Considered unlucky not to have been selected to join training partners Bailie and Royle on the Australian Olympic team, 21-year-old Birtwhistle stormed to 46-second win at the event, which encompasses a one-kilometre swim, 30-kilometre bike ride and 10-kilometre run.

The rising star of the Australian triathlon scene attributed his triumph to the focus he has placed on his bike leg over the past three weeks while visiting his hometown of Launceston, Tasmania.

“I’ve been second (to Aaron Royle – 9th in Rio) for the past two years so it’s nice to break through for a victory,” Birtwhistle told Triathlon Australia.

“It’s a straight forward course but one that I really enjoy, given my previous results here, particularly winning the Youth Olympics.

“And I put it down to the work I have done back home in Launceston on the time trial bike – in the past I have just maintained my fitness for this time of the year but this year I have taken it up a notch and it has certainly paid off.

“The bike is at the moment my strongest leg.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BL5IhYhD59f/?taken-by=jakebirtwhistle

The result affirms the depth of men’s triathlon in Australia with Birtwhistle, Bailie, Royle as well as Olympic debutant Ryan Fisher all set to put their focus towards qualifying for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and then the Tokyo Olympics.

Meanwhile in the women’s race it was a plucky van Coevorden who proved the strongest opposition for Gentle. The Campbelltown local had the fastest swim and run splits of the race, however wasn’t able to hold on to Gentle in the bike leg.

All four NSIWS athletes will return this weekend for the Noosa Triathlon, as will fellow Institute triathlete Tamsyn Moana-Veale who’s day at the Nepean event was cut short due to a flat tire on the bike.