Posted: July 9, 2007

Triathlon: World Champion Don Confirms Salford Challenge

World Champion triathlete Tim Don has been confirmed as part of Britain’s elite team at the Salford BG Triathlon World Cup on 29 July. Don won his world title in Lausanne last September, and returns to Salford with a point to prove. He finished back in 18th place at the recent European Championships, thwarted by a puncture on the fifth lap of the 40km bike section of the Olympic distance race. He dropped out during the run at the Salford race last year due to injury. Will Clarke, third last year and the current World Under 23 Champion, will also take the start line with, Stuart Hayes, Andrew Johns and Richard Stannard. Swim specialist, Stannard was the winner of the recent Windsor Triathlon and is the reigning world aquathlon champion. World Junior Triathlon Champion Alistair Brownlee will also make his World Cup debut. Paul Amey, 2007 World Duathlon Champion is still hopeful of a starting place, but his current ranking means he is reliant on withdrawals from the preliminary start list Both the men’s and women’s leading World Cup triathletes are due to start in Salford this year. Javier Gomez (Spain) and Vanessa Fernadez (Portugal) currently sit at the top of the men’s and women’s rankings so far this year after eight of the 13 events. Both athletes also won European gold last month. Britain’s Michelle Dillon will be looking to emulate her 2004 Salford victory having enjoyed a successful start to her season with podium finishes at the Lisbon World Cup and World Duathlon Championships. She will be joined on the starting pontoon by Andrea Whitcombe who just missed out on a medal at the European Championships in Copenhagen, where she finished fourth. Will Clarke’s sister, Rosie, 20, will race as an elite in Salford. The talented brother and sister are both based at the Loughborough High Performance Centre. New Zealand’s Sam Warriner returns to Salford as defending champion in the women’s race. Originally from Alton, Warriner will return to Britain intent on victory in front of family members still living in Hampshire. Defending men’s champion, Brad Kahlefeldt (Australia) has also entered, ensuring that this will be one of the strongest fields ever seen in Salford. Cllr Merry, leader of Salford City Council commented: “Salford Quays has established itself as a world class sporting venue, and we are delighted that the BG Triathlon World Cup is returning for the fifth time to the city. We look forward to welcoming both athletes and spectators on 29 July to what promises to be a spectacular sporting occasion." Heather Williams, British Triathlon’s Programme Performance Manager said: “The Salford BG Triathlon World Cup provides us with a great opportunity to showcase our best athletes and we are grateful to Salford City Council for their continued support of the race. This race marks the first step on the road to Olympic qualification with the opportunity to claim a place on the World Championships team, and the first of three Olympic selection races.” The full distance race in Salford comprises a 1500m swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run. Great Britain Teams Men: Tim Don (London), Will Clarke (Cambridge / Loughborough), Stuart Hayes (London), Andrew Johns (Peterborough / Switzerland), Richard Stannard (London), Alistair Brownlee (Leeds) Women: Michelle Dillon (Wembley), Jodie Swallow (Essex / Loughborough), Andrea Whitcombe (Ruislip / Swansea), Leanda Cave (Louth / USA), Rosie Clarke (Cambridge / Loughborough), Kerry Lang (Scotland) About the British Triathlon Federation The British Triathlon Federation is the National Governing Body for triathlon, the UK’s fastest growing sport. At elite level we are striving for Olympic success and currently boast the current world champion in Tim Don, current World Under 23 Champion in Will Clarke and current World Junior Champion, Alistair Brownlee. Looking towards 2012 and beyond, British Triathlon has emerging some outstanding young talent from its youth programmes. Since becoming an Olympic sport in 2000, British Triathlon has seen large annual membership increases and now totals over 10,000 members throughout its Home Nation Associations. There are over 500 triathlon events conducted in Great Britain each year including the London Triathlon, the largest triathlon event in the World; and the BG Triathlon World Cup race in Salford, one of the leading international events. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest