Multisport: Triathlete Brown recuits Ulmer's cycling coach

Wellington, Dec 21 - Top ironman triathlete Cameron Brown has turned to successful Olympic cycling coach Brendan Cameron to help further his career.

Brown, a three-time place-getter in the Hawaii ironman, believes an improved performance on the bike is the key to his performance in the ironman.

Cameron guided his partner Sarah Ulmer to her Olympic gold medal in Athens, arguably the best cycling performances at the games.

The former Olympian knows a thing or two about triathlon also as a three-time Ironman New Zealand finisher.

This year Brown had a disappointing 27th in Hawaii after a slow swim and drafting penalty on the cycle.

While he knows they were one-off race issues, he believes he must improve on the bike.

He's a solid swimmer and runner. With coach Scott Molina he has increased his training mileage considerably.

"I used to come off the bike 15 to 20 minutes down on the top riders and 10 minutes behind the key athletes at Hawaii," Brown said.

"I get good technical help with my swimming and running but I've never really addressed my cycling.

"The key is to be competitive on the bike and come off not only in touch with the top people but also with the ability to run strongly."

Brown said Cameron would utilise more sports science in his training.

"He's already noted quite a few technical things that we are working on. When you are out there for 180kms cycling, it's important to be as efficient as possible. So we are working on getting the optimum positive that's streamlined with maximum power.

"Brendan is also changing my training schedule in terms of cycling which we will fit into Scott's programme."

Brown said Molina would continue as his overall adviser and Mark Bone remained as his swim coach.

"I'm really excited that Brendan has agreed to help me. We are working hard and hopefully it will pay dividends down the road."

Cameron said the pair have only begun to make changes to their programme and they didn't expect to see the results until later next year.

"The idea is to develop his riding through next year. I'm no magic man. I'm already dealing with a champion. Cameron has incredible work ethic, so my role is really fine-tuning someone who is already a champion athlete," Cameron said.

Brown will compete in the national long distance championship at Mount Maunganui on January 8 where he will attempt to win his eighth successive Port of Tauranga Half Ironman title.

The 32-year-old will then set his sights on becoming the first athlete to claim five wins at Ironman New Zealand in Taupo in March.

- NZPA