Reid proves he’s the complete package

"For sure, Tayler’s always had the potential, known as a world-class swimmer and cyclist, but winning this title shows he can now put together a complete race,” said coach Stephen Sheldrake. Twenty-one-year-old Tayler Reid won the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final on Australia's Gold Coast last week. File picture

TRIATHLON

TAYLER Reid’s win in the under-23 men’s ITU World Triathlon Grand Final race on the Gold Coast has put a target on his back, says his coach Stephen Sheldrake.

“For sure, Tayler’s always had the potential, known as a world-class swimmer and cyclist, but winning this title shows he can now put together a complete race,” said Sheldrake, whose charges Reid and Gisborne Boys’ High School student Josiah Ney put the pressure on Sheldrake after Ney won a bronze medal in the 16-19 years sprint race as part of the event.

Ney gave “Team Gisborne” a great start with bronze on Thursday.

Tayler backed that up with gold on Friday, putting the pressure on their coach heading into his to 45-49yrs Olympic distance race.

“I’m just glad I was able to get third on a course that didn’t suit me — flat surf, flat bike ride,” said Sheldrake.

Sheldrake, a former professional triathlete, was first off the bike but “got caught about seven kilometres into the run, then got caught again before settling for bronze”.

The New Zealand mixed elite team, featuring Reid, were denied a medal in the relay after crossing the line in a photo-finish with France.

“Tayler, who was seconds away for New Zealand, put them in the lead and they held that all the way until the finish, only to be disqualified after the French protested.

“Hayden Wilde, our last guy, clipped a cone (cutting the course).

“It could have been another gold or silver for Tayler. In the end it was nothing,” Sheldrake said.

“Both Tayler and Josiah’s performances will have given them the belief they can compete at their respective levels.

“I’ve been saying to Tayler for a few years now not to burn all his matches on the swim and bike, to have more confidence in his run, and now he’s tracking well for the 2020 Olympic Games. But we can’t afford to get ahead of ourselves. A lot can happen between now and 2020.

“He’s got world cup races, in America and Ecuador in three weeks when he will be trying to gain ranking points.

“New Zealand have used Tayler a lot in team races, which has affected his ranking points, But he should sort that out in the next two races.”

Ney was unavailable for comment today as he was sitting school exams but The Herald will have more tomorrow on the 16-year-old — one of seven Mangapapa Church youth group members going to Uganda next week to work with children.