Lauren Groves, coming off a broken toe, needs World Cup points in Cancun and New Plymouth to remain in the World’s top 5
If the ITU handed out an award for the most improved triathlete in 2006 Canadian Lauren Groves would be a leading candidate.
Groves is currently ranked 5th in the World Cup Rankings with 2 races left on the World Cup schedule (Cancun Nov. 5th & New Plymouth Nov. 12th). Lauren’s final World Cup Ranking in 2005 was 29th.
Groves has competed in 7 World Cup races this year – her best effort was a fourth place finish at the World Championships where she picked up 70 points. Groves has never had a podium finish in a World Cup race; however, she has a chance to end the season as the highest ranked Canadian ever in the World Cup standings.
The final World Cup Rankings are based on the top 8 results from World Cup races. Groves has finished in the top 7 in all 7 World Cups this season except for the last race in Hamburg where she finished the race in 13th place despite breaking her toe in the second transition. Running the final 10km of the race in Hamburg with a broken toe is proof that Groves will do whatever it takes in the final 2 races to solidify her ranking.
Groves said she needs a strong finish in the final 2 races to stay in the top-5. “I have one more race to count in the final standings; if I do better than 13th in both races then Cancun and New Plymouth will count toward my final ranking.”
Groves has not run in almost 5 weeks and will take her first test later today on a treadmill to evaluate where she’s at. “Based on the circumstances I do not have my sights set on the podium, I just want to have a strong race and hopefully stay in the top-5. I know it’s not better yet because I still feel pain putting my foot in the bike shoe.”
Groves admitted she would be taking the rest of the year off if she wasn’t near the top of the rankings. “It’s late in the season and it would be easy to pack it in, however, I have a chance to do something special so I will fight until the very end. It’s not every day you have a chance to be ranked in the top-5 in the world.”
Results from x-rays were very positive yesterday and doctors say Lauren is ahead of schedule. “They (the doctors) told me this injury usually takes 6-8 weeks to heal properly. I still have 3 more weeks before the Cancun race – this should be enough time to be 100 percent healthy.”
Since the race in Hamburg, Groves has upped her swim volume and believes her fitness won’t be a huge factor. “I’ve lost some run fitness, but I know it will come back very quickly. Before the injury – I was in the best shape of my life.”
The final 2 races are critical for the athletes ranked between 3 and 7 as there are only 39 points separating them. Groves does have a cushion with the New Plymouth race scheduled to be her ninth race. “It’s a good position to be in – I would love to do well in both races so that the Hamburg race comes off the board.”
If Groves is able to accomplish this goal there is a great chance she’ll remain in the top-5. Earlier this season Groves was ranked as high as third - once after the Edmonton World Cup and again after the World Championships – tack on another top 5 finish in either race in November and she could be right back at #3.
Source: Triathlon Canada.
Triathlon Canada is the National Federation for the Sport of Triathlon and Duathlon in Canada.
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