Aaron Royle (left), Peter Kerr and Ryan Bailie will be among the leaders in the ITU Triathlon World Cup. Picture: KEITH HEDGELAND
TRIATHLON
Wollongong-based former West Australian Ryan Bailie is ready to chase anything that moves in tomorrow's ITU Triathlon World Cup at Mooloolaba on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
Bailie, 22, is just 56 kilograms and building a reputation that if it moves he'll set off after it.
While his Triathlon Australia elite coach in Wollongong, Jamie Turner, says it is important to "build time and space" between training and the major races later in the year, he appreciates those natural competitive instincts that makes an athlete like Bailie explore every chance to let his opposition know he's around.
Bailie rode the race of his life to set up Wollongong triathlete Aaron Royle's ITU Under-23 World Championship tilt on the hills of Auckland last year and again will be in hot pursuit of some big scalps.
"Last week in Wellington, Ryan was like a cat chasing a laser light. Everything that moved he chased," Turner said.
"He loves a tough bike course and Mooloolaba certainly won't worry him. The tougher it is then the better he likes it. He's a very aggressive racer.
"We have also seen some good progress in his swimming times and with Brendan Sexton in our squad, now the pair have improved together. But the proof will be in the pudding."
Bailie made his Mooloolaba debut last year, finishing 17th. After coming out of the water towards the back of the 50-strong field, he produced one of the fastest bike splits of the day.
Rest assured that it is a more experienced Bailie that will tackle this course.
He has already finished second in Devonport and fifth in Wellington respectively to his in-form compatriot, Victorian Peter Kerr, but he will have some other big names to chase around the hills of Alexandra Headlands - starting with Olympic silver medallist, two-time ITU World Champion and 2012 ITU Triathlon Grand Final winner Javier Gomez, of Spain.