Preview: Firmus City of Derry Super Series
The 2016 Super Series starts on Sunday with the Firmus Energy City of Derry Triathlon. And with Ireland’s two Olympic hopefuls on the start list for the men’s and women’s races, this year’s Super Series opener promises to be one of the most exciting races of the year.
Reid and Keane on Start Lists
Aileen Reid and Bryan Keane were both relatively late additions to the field, and head to Derry on the back of an altitude training camp in the French Pyrenees which was aimed specifically at this year’s Olympic Games in Rio.
Returning to sea level after an extended period at altitude can be notoriously difficult on the body but both athletes have the class that should see them put in impressive performances in Derry.
Women’s Race
Reid finished 17th at last week’s World Triathlon Series race in Leeds following a late start to 2016. With her focus firmly on Rio, she has been training right through this week but will still be the overwhelming favourite to emerge first from 750m swim in the River Foyle.
TI development athletes Emma Sharkey, Siobhan Gallagher, Rachael Hawker (the defending 2015 Super Series Champion) and Laura Wylie will be aiming to be hot on Reid’s heels however, and the presence of junior development athlete Caron Ryan will ensure plenty of competition on the swim leg of the race.
With the Super Series now in its second year, tactics on the bike could begin to play more of a role, especially if a number of the women emerge from the water together. Reid may well be on her own for some or all of the bike however and regardless of whether she comes in to T2 with company or alone, she’s likely to put in a fast 5km run.
National Duathlon Champion Heather Foley will also be one to watch on the bike; and if she manages to place herself in the lead pack following the swim could have the legs to make life tough for the rest of the women heading towards the finish line.
Men’s Race
As with the women’s race, all eyes in the men’s field will be on Olympic bound Bryan Keane, who returned from his altitude training camp on Thursday and chose to race in Derry over a French Grand Prix event that had originally been pencilled in to his season plan.
Keane will have plenty of high performance development athletes and juniors racing to be first in to T1, with the on form Kieran Jackson, Chris Mintern and Aichlinn O’Reilly leading the charge.
The winner of last week’s Westport Triathlon, 16-year-old Ben Walsh and the ever improving Darren Dunne will also be seeking to have a say in how the race unfolds.
The presence of fast swimmers, Brian Harris and Ross Higgins in the field could also prove crucial in the formation of a pack on the bike that will seek to pursue Keane, if he does emerge from the water with a lead.
Once on the run, Keane will seek to use his pace to pull clear but Chris Mintern – who has a proven record in cross country club running – will also be one to watch for a quick run split as will Kieran Jackson who appears to be getting faster with each race.
Follow the Races Live
The men’s race is the first to start on Sunday morning at 08:05am with the women entering the water ten minutes later. Triathlon Ireland will be live-tweeting the event and will carry interviews and photos from the race on our facebook page.
Women’s Field
|
Siobhan |
Gallagher |
247 Triathlon Club |
|
Nadine |
Gray |
Fingal TC |
|
Olivia |
Ni Shuilleabhain |
Athlone TC |
|
Caoimhe |
Ni mhurchu |
Sligo Triathlon Club |
|
Estelle |
Johnston |
Armagh Pike Kickers |
|
Rachel |
Hawker |
|
|
Ellen |
Murphy |
Belpark TC |
|
Jemma |
Speers |
Invictus TC |
|
Orlaith |
Fogarty |
247 Triathlon Club |
|
Christine |
Russell |
|
|
Triona |
Mc Menamin |
247 Triathlon Club |
|
Emma Jane |
Sharkey |
|
|
Katherine |
Kelly |
Portmarnock TC |
|
Caron |
Ryan |
|
|
Ailbhe |
Carroll |
|
|
Laura |
Wylie |
Hi-Elbow TC |
|
Heather |
Foley |
Lisburn TC |
Men’s Field
|
Brian |
Harris |
Wicklow TC |
|
Kieran |
Jackson |
|
|
Michael |
Sinton |
Lisburn TC |
|
James |
Walton |
Triangle Triathlon Club |
|
Chris |
Mcnevison |
Lisburn TC |
|
Emmett |
Mullan |
|
|
Michael |
Macken |
Athlone TC |
|
Rhodri |
Jones |
Triangle Triathlon Club |
|
Anthony |
Mulholland |
Piranha TC |
|
Mark |
Haynes |
Armagh Pike Kickers |
|
Finbar |
Mcgrady |
Newry Triathlon Club |
|
Ben |
Vahey |
Predator TC |
|
Edwin |
Sutton |
Cork TC |
|
Eoin |
Lyons |
Waterford TC |
|
TIERNAN |
BURKE |
|
|
Brendan g |
Murphy |
Belpark TC |
|
Aichlinn |
O’reilly |
|
|
Danny |
Mooney |
247 Triathlon Club |
|
Bernard |
McCullagh |
|
|
Liam |
Murray |
Virgina Triathlon & Cyling Club |
|
Jack |
Lawson |
|
|
Brendan |
Crawford |
Belpark TC |
|
Ben |
Walsh |
Westport Triathlon Club |
|
Raymond |
Byrne |
|
|
Daniel |
Quigley |
|
|
Ross |
Higgins |
Limerick TC |
|
Cillian |
Tierney |
GoTri TC |
|
Marcus |
Mcgowan |
MSC Tri |
|
Odhran |
Mckane |
Northwest TC |
|
Niall |
Cornyn |
|
|
Richard |
Horton |
|
|
Christopher |
Mintern |
Cork TC |
|
Darren |
O’Neill |
|
|
Harry |
Speers |
Invictus TC |
|
Andrew |
Murphy |
|
|
Darren |
Dunne |
