Ian is our final new recruit to welcome to the triathlon team. Having started doing triathlon 7 years ago, he has steadily grown more and more competitive, accumulating in racing for Great Britain in both triathlon and duathlon in his respective age group. Coupled with racing internationally he also races regularly at local and national races and more often than not winning…
Writing my first article for the website as a new member of the TORQ Triathlon Team was a daunting task. I am really excited and proud to be joining the team in 2012 and I am eager to see if I can have a successful 2012 season, with some positive results and further developments in performance.
Inspired and amazed by the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games triathlons, and training to be a PE teacher, I embarked on training for my first triathlon with a view to improve my fitness and complete the course. I was hooked and have been regularly taking part in Triathlons and Duathlons since 2005/6.
At the back end of 2006 I managed to qualify at Milton Keynes for the Great Britain Age Group team for 2007. Having qualified I travelled to Gyor, Hungary, for the World Duathlon Championships, where I placed 9th in the 25-29 Category. I then travelled to the European Championships at a very wet, windy and cold Holyrood Park, Edinburgh and finished 14th, and also competed at the World Triathlon Championships in Hamburg, Germany finishing 15th .
At the back end of 2007 I was informed that I had contracted weils disease from the 2007 season, therefore 2008 was certainly forgettable, as I was unable to train or compete.
In 2009 I qualified to travel to Holten, Netherlands to compete in the European Olympic Distance Triathlon Championships where I finished 9th (probably my most satisfying performance). In 2010 I was hit by a van whilst out training on the bike and suffered for the remainder of the year. 2011 was my ‘comeback year’ and certainly the most positive and memorable.
In 2011 I had my greatest level of success, running a 10k PB, 10m Time Trial Cycling PB, finishing 9th in Limmerick at the European Duathlon Championships in a very competitive 30-34 Category and then in September travelled to Gijon, Spain where I finished 13th .
Domestically I managed to win Oulton Park Spring Duathlon, St Annes Sprint Triathlon, Llandudno Sprint Triathlon / Duathlon, Oulton Park Autumn Duathlon, Parbold 10k, finished 5th at the National Duathlon Championships in my Category and regularly finished on the podium in other events. As a comeback year I was pleasantly surprised and proud of what I achieved in 2011. I really do hope that with a focussed approach, I can exceed those performances in 2012 with the fantastic support from TORQ and the endless list of impressive team sponsors. Many Thanks
www.wilier.it/en – Wilier Triestina; Triathlon Frames
www.ffwdwheels.com – FFWD; aero wheels
www.ritcheylogic.com – Ritchey; Aerobars, saddles and finishing kit
www.cycleops.com – CycleOps – PowerTap; Power meters
www.racezone3.com – Zone 3; wetsuits
www.limarhelmets.com/eng – Limar; helmets & glasses
www.lakecycling.co.uk – Lake; Cycling footwear
www.jagwireusa.com – Jagwire; cables
www.scott-sports.com – Scott; running footwear
www.shimano.com – Shimano; Groupsets
www.triathlonspecific.com/Sable/Sable.html – Sable Water Optics; Swim goggles
www.max-mediagroup.co.uk – Max Media; Team PR
www.amphibia-sport.com – Amphibia; transition bags
www.champ-sys.co.uk – ChampionSystems; Custom Trisuits and Cycle wear
