National Talent Squad Headlines Weekend of Triathlon

National Talent Squad Headlines Weekend of Triathlon – Sissons Second in Holten

In what was a busy and successful weekend for New Zealand triathletes, it was the juniors leading the way as Gisborne’s Tayler Reid claimed a dominant win in headlining a ten-strong National Talent Squad presence in the first of two races in Japan while Ryan Sissons raced strongly for silver in Holten.

Competing against Japan’s senior elite in the Japan National Sprint Championships in Sendai yesterday, Tri NZ National Talent Squad athletes Reid, Dan Hoy, Kyle Smith, Fynn Thompson and Liam Ward swarmed the men’s top 10 (placing 4th, 5th, 6th and 10th, respectively).

In the women’s race Jaimee Leader, Lizzie Stannard and Katherine Badham achieved a similar overall impression, claiming 5th, 6th and 7th. Trent Thorpe and Trent Dodds rounded out an impressive Squad performance in 11th and 19th respectively as all gained vital international experience.

But it was Reid who really impressed, leading out the 750m swim, alongside Thorpe, 2012 Olympian Yuichi Hosoda and Jumpei Furuya. These four then built a lead of one minute 26 seconds after the 20km bike leg. Reid started the hilly 5km run patiently, taking the lead just before the first turnaround and building a 13 second margin to win in 59:13.

Kiwis were prominent in the chasing group too, with Hoy emerging from an all silver fern tussle with Smith to claim 4th leading home an impressive pack of young New Zealanders crossing the line in close pursuit. Reid was delighted both with the outcome, but in particular with the execution on the day.

“I am very happy with my race, mainly because it came together as planned. I was able to do what I set out do on a tough honest course. I’m enjoying the opportunity to check how training has been going, and to learn and immerse from the Japanese Team”.

The women’s race similarly saw a lead break of two from the swim, with Jaimee Leader (Palmerston North) next out 26-seconds behind. The lead was soon hauled in on the tough bike course, and a dominant group of six formed including Leader and Stannard (Palmerston North). Japan’s Olympic veteran Kiyomi Niwata showed her class to claim the win, with Leader and Stannard crossing 5th and 6th, and Badham bolting from a solo bike charge to claim 7th.

Watching on, Tri NZ High Performance Director Graeme Maw was impressed with what he saw, while also measured in his praise.

“The Squad executed well today and showed they can compete against senior internationals. It was a very challenging course and all our athletes showed their strength. Tayler particularly was impressive in a calm controlled performance. They will have gained invaluable experience, which must be put in context of the rest of the world not just Japan: The boys need to find a little in the swim and the girls on the run, and they’ll look forward to those steps even as soon as next week in Osaka.”

The National Talent Squad are training in Utunomiya for the week as part of the Tri NZ-JTU 2020 partnership, before heading to Osaka to race in the ITU Oceania Cup on Sunday.

Elsewhere Ryan Sissons enjoyed a productive day in what has so far been a frustrating season with performances not where the 27 year old would like them to be. Sissons finished second in the ETU Triathlon Premium European Cup race at Holten in the Netherlands after posting the second fastest swim split of the elite men’s field.

“Unfortunately due to extreme hot weather Holten was changed to a sprint distance race. I went there to race an Olympic distance race in prep for the Rio test event next month, however these things happen sometimes and you just have to go with the flow.

“I have been training really well and starting to feel like I'm getting into some form which I have been searching for now for a few months. I swam at the front which for me was a huge positive to see some of the work I've done the last few months starting to show through in a race. I rode well and stayed out of trouble and then just didn't have the extra speed to catch the French on the run. However I am happy with 2nd place and look forward to building on this over the next few weeks with some big and important races coming up.”

Holten ETU Triathlon Premium European Cup results CLICK HERE

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