Tayler Reid. File picture
TRIATHLON
GISBORNE triathlete Tayler Reid did not get the send-off he wanted for the Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast, when he finished 19th in the Triathlon World Cup sprint — 750-metres swim/20-kilometre bike/5km run — race at New Plymouth on Sunday.
But with 10 days before he races at Southport, Reid’s coach Stephen Sheldrake says it’s just a matter of making a few minor adjustments.
“Tayler paid the price for going out too quick in the swim, when he was first out of the water, and the bike,” Sheldrake said.
“It wasn’t the final result we wanted but after the swim he was in the lead group for the bike.
“He was in a small group and they couldn’t get away from the chasers, who quickly swallowed up their lead to form a big lead group.
“Tayler would love to have won but it’s a fine balance for tapering ahead of the Gold Coast, which is the big one.”
Australia’s Declan Wilson won in a time of 58 minutes 20 seconds with Reid finishing in 1:00:04.
Reid flew out of Auckland for Australia yesterday and will have the support of Sheldrake at the Games.
Gisborne’s Josiah Ney, also coached by Sheldrake, “finished a creditable 11th” in the Oceania Junior (under-19) champs in New Plymouth.
“Joshia, who has another year in the junior division, was up against the best New Zealand and Australian juniors and some from other countries,” Sheldrake said. “His was a very good result.”
Like Reid, Ney had a strong swim — coming out with the leaders and holding his own on the bikeLike Reid, Ney had a strong swim — coming out with the leaders and holding his own on the bike.
He stayed in touch with the leaders over the bike, before dropping back in the run.
“I had a decent swim and was in a group of four chasing an Australian on the bike,” said the 18-year-old Gisborne Boys’ High School student.
“We stayed in touch until the last lap when the chasing bunch caught us and we lost 30 seconds.
“I think the work I did trying to stay with the chasers took it out of me in the run, but overall I enjoyed the race.
“The swim was pretty flat, with the odd wave, and the bike was flat and fast.”
Ney’s next race is the age-group world champs in Australia in September.
“I won’t be competing in the junior elite division, that’s for the top three competitors from each country.”
The race gives Ney the chance to take back bragging rights in the family after his youngest brother Matthew won the u13 division of the national schools triathlon in Nelson last week.
“Matthew’s the first in the family to win a national tri title,” said Joshia, who came third and another brother Caleb was in the top five of the u16 division.
Reid’s Commonwealth Games teammates Sam Ward and Nicole van der Kaay produced stunning performances in front of a large crowd at Ngamotu Beach, New Plymouth — both finishing second.
Ward outsprinted Matt McElroy (USA) for the silver medal, leaving McElory with a bronze to go with his silver from last year.
Kirsten Kasper (USA) won the women’s elite race in 1:03:20 with van der Kaay eight seconds behind.