Ironman down but not out yet

Leading New Zealand triathlete Kieran Doe has suffered a nasty training accident which has put the rest of his year in question.

Doe, who is ranked in the top four of New Zealand's long-course triathletes, was hit by a car in Takapuna as he was returning from a training ride on Wednesday.

He fractured a wrist, suffered a "beat-up shoulder", tendon damage in his hands and was concussed.

"It was a bit of a shake-up," says Doe, 30, "and it seems to be becoming an annual event. I've been unlucky but I'm still alive."

New Zealand drivers are generally regarded as some of the world's worst, especially when it comes to sharing the road with cyclists. Doe has been hit six times by motorists, resulting in five concussions and many other injuries.

He was riding in the cycle lane on Wednesday when a motorist cut across him to turn into a driveway. The rear left-hand side of the car smashed into Doe.

"I was pretty dazed when it happened," says Doe. "At least the driver rang me yesterday, which was a nice touch. He didn't have to do that."

A win in the Rotorua half ironman three weeks ago had Doe perfectly on track for his main focus - the Ironman at Wanaka in a fortnight.

Reports in a Sunday newspaper that the crash had put him out of competing in the weekend's Port of Tauranga Half were incorrect - Doe wasn't entered and never intended lining up to chase his second victory.

Wanaka may be in doubt but Doe is not giving up hope.

"I'm pretty stubborn and determined and I'm sure I'll be there," says Doe, who won Ironman Canada in 2007 and is one of the strongest swimmers in the sport, as well as being extremely quick on the bike leg.

Training partner Terrenzo Bozzone said: "He was pretty shaken up but he is a tough guy. It is never nice being hit but I would put my money on him making it to Wanaka."

Doe has started his comeback already, completing three hours on the cycling wind trainer yesterday.