Posted: March 2, 2007

Triathlon: Bentley Motivated For Sixth Ironman Australia Title

Canadian Lisa Bentley has confirmed she will again head ‘down under’ to contest her sixth Ironman Australia Triathlon after creating history last year when she one her fifth consecutive title. For the first time at Ironman Australia, Bentley will wear the coveted number one race number, awarded to the most credentialed athlete in the field. 1996 was the last time this occurred when the great Paula Newby-Fraser wore it at the Hawaiian Ironman Championships, in the absence of Mark Allen. “I’m honored to wear number one, and hope to race to its full potential,” said Bentley. “I love racing in Australia – I love the place and the people and the atmosphere. I just hope the #1 bib number comes with an Aussie Passport.” Bentley never tires of returning to Australia and says training is going very well, despite managing a few minor injuries. “I feel very fit – there are always nigglies – so I am managing them as I have for my entire career.” When queried about motivation in claiming a sixth Ironman Australia title the 39-year-old says she is very motivated. “I feel very motivated- I always race at my best and this year will be like my first – no different.” After 180km on the bike last year, over a testing course, Bentley felt very tired, and has made some changes to her training plan to combat this. “I’ve followed a similar plan to last year but when I’m riding the hills, am careful to find ones similar to Port and I try to ride them throughout my whole ride. I felt pretty tired at the end of the ride last year and I want to attack those hills even better this year.” In her lead up Bentley notched up her sixth win at the Pucon Half Ironman in January and will race a very short event just prior to Port Macquarie to sharpen up. Attempting to put a halt to Bentley will be long time adversary, Australia’s Belinda Granger. Granger, one of our most consistent performers stepped up in 2006 finishing second to Bentley at this event. She then went on to take her first win against Bentley on her home soil at Ironman Canada in the same year. Another Australian determined to make a serious bid for a different podium position, Melissa Ashton, having claimed silver in 2005 and bronze last year at Ironman Australia the former short course champion is getting stronger each year. Victoria’s Joanne King will be the dark horse following her comeback to the sport last year. King went into her first few events underdone but bounced back early this year when she won the Tasmanian Half Ironman. With the comeback pressure off her back who know’s what this former Olympic distance world champion will produce. Others to watch will be Rebecca Keat making her return to the sport and recent win at the Australian Long Course Championships last weekend. The Panthers Ironman Australia Triathlon is a qualifier for the Ford Ironman World Championship held in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The race will take place at Westport Park, Port Macquarie. Race No. Name Gender Age From 1 BENTLEY Lisa (5) Female 38 Canada 37 GRANGER Belinda (7) Female 36 Peregian Beach QLD       38 ASHTON Melissa (2) Female 34 Newtown NSW       39 KING Joanne (3) Female 31 Torquay VIC        40 BEVILAQUA Kate (1) Female 29 Willetton WA        41 FITCH Alison (6) Female 34 Darwin NT        42 OSWIN Prue (1) Female 29 Gladstone QLD       43 HARRISON Belinda (1) Female 29 Herne Hill VIC       44 BENNETT Jo (3) Female 30 Kalamunda WA        45 MARANGON Lisa (4) Female 26 Concord NSW       46 MEYERS Katya Female 26 United States 47 HALLORAN Belinda (2) Female 30 Mosman NSW       48 COX Amelia Female 25 Ulverstone TAS       49 RANKIN Kirra Female 27 Pearce ACT       50 WESTWOOD Amanda Female 31 New Zealand 51 COYLE Alison Female 25 Carlingford NSW       52 O'HARA Katherine (1) Female 33 Richmond VIC       53 WEITNAUER Emma (3) Female 31 West Moonah TAS       54 SOUTHWELL Leanne (2) Female 38 Alexandra Headland QLD        55 KEAT Rebekah Female 29 Burleigh Heads QLD