Multisport: Docherty on Olympic course

Bevan Docherty's Alcatraz form bodes well for the Games. Photo / Supplied

Bevan Docherty's quest for a third consecutive Olympic medal is following a proven path - and this time he has the unwanted tag of "old man" to help spur him on.

Monday's second place at the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon shows Docherty's dream of adding to his silver medal (Athens, 2004) and bronze (Beijing, 2008) appears to be more reality than fantasy with a firm step down that trail.

He finished second in the same event in 2007 over the 2.4km swim, 30km bike and 13km run in and around San Francisco Bay.

He followed that by gaining Olympic qualification with a third placing at the World Cup in the Games host city of Beijing - and then came his second Olympic medal.

He is planning to do exactly the same thing this time round. Docherty will be guaranteed qualification for the 2012 London Olympics if he finishes in the top 10 in the corresponding World Cup event in London, over the Olympic course, in August.

Docherty dismisses talk of an older man struggling against the vitality of youth. He will be 35 if he competes at the London Olympics. Hamish Carter was 33 when he won in Athens and Canadian Simon Whitfield was 33 when he took silver in front of Docherty at Beijing.

"There are always cocky young guys who need to be put into line. Every so often someone suggests it is time for us older blokes to move over. I'm quite happy reading that I'm 'battling' and some young guy is coming through. It takes some pressure off," Docherty says.

"It's quite funny looking back to 2003 when we were going through a similar selection process. Someone - talking about Hamish Carter - said maybe it was time for that old man to step aside ..."

He might be a veteran, but Docherty is also a spearhead. Triathlon authorities have backed his plan for a third Olympic medal - allowing him to largely opt out of the complicated points-gathering process which can see eight countries qualify a team of three for London.

Essentially Docherty, now based in California, will pursue his own path (although he will also race in events which help towards qualifying other triathletes). Colleagues Kris Gemmell, Ryan Sissons, Clark Ellice, and James Elvery also control their destinies.

If three New Zealand athletes finish in the top five in London in August, all will qualify for the Olympics. If three finish in the top 10, the top two will qualify with the other gaining further qualifying chances. There is a world championship event in Beijing and a final qualifier in Sydney in April which can also seal a place in London.

Allowing Docherty to train independently shows the esteem in which he is held - and recognition that such a gritty competitor can do it again. It also allows Docherty to follow what he believes is a tried and true method, based around sacrifice and stamina.

For starters, the prospect of chilly water freezing his nether regions did not deter him last week, even if he dived in with some trepidation, judging by the pre-race tweet: "my nuts arent lookin 4ward 2 the icy cold water!"

It was his feet that felt it most, bruised on the 800m asphalt transition between swim and bike - but Docherty accepts that is part of the sacrifice.

Docherty's mate and rival Kris Gemmell warns challengers he has seen the athlete he calls "old Bevan" fighting back recently during an eight-week stint in the United States.

"He is back to being selfish and that is good; it's why he's one of the best athletes New Zealand's had. He knows what he wants and how to get it."

Docherty is not focusing too much on the run, despite the flat London course in and around Hyde Park which could bunch athletes together on the bike.

"If you're not strong on the bike, you'll suffer. I've focused on the run more than anything else before and it didn't improve me. You still need to be a strong all-round athlete."