Leading Triathletes Ready To Battle For Garmin Noosa Triathlon Title

The region’s top triathletes will go head-to-head this Sunday with the return of the Garmin Noosa Triathlon.

Racing is set to be fierce in both the women’s and men’s field with athletes taking on a 1.5km swim, 40km ride and 10km run.

Two-time Olympian Ashleigh Gentle knows what it takes to be successful in Noosa, claiming the women’s title a record eight times, and is looking forward to a race circled on the calendar each year.

“This always a race I get pretty excited for and it’s been a massive year but I’ve always had it in the back of my mind that I’d be here getting ready for Noosa, I’m excited,” said Gentle. “I’ve always loved racing in Australia and the Noosa Triathlon is one that I’ve done since 2010, I only missed one a couple of years after that because of injury and then obviously the COVID year so it’s just one that I did when I was a teenager and I absolutely loved it.

“I got second in my first attempt and I’ve always just wanted to come back, being able to race in Australia in front of family and friends, the people who have always supported me in my career is always the way I want to finish my season and it’s no different this year really,” she said. “I always love getting back and wrapping up the year, it's my favourite triathlon.”

 

A number of athletes will be out to try and stop Gentle’s dominance in Noosa, with Charlotte McShane returning to the event for the first time since 2016.

“The atmosphere in Noosa is unlike anywhere else. It’s incredibly special to line up with thousands of others tacking the Olympic distance and the spectators throughout the whole course cheering is a very unique experience,” said McShane. “Noosa is always the most enjoyable event of the year, I can’t wait to get out on course.

“The elite female line up in Noosa this year is certainly formidable. As always a healthy mix of short, middle and long course elements to consider,” she said. “There are some ladies who are very strong on two wheels taking to course and the non-draft format isn’t my forte so I’m looking forward to challenging myself against some TT style specialists.”

 

Milan Agnew led the way for much of last year’s event, eventually finishing second to Gentle, less than 30 seconds off the win.

“I love this event so much, I think my result last year reflected that,” said Agnew. “It’s probably my favourite race of the year, the atmosphere over the entire weekend is awesome. I believe the race this weekend will play out differently to last, I’m not entirely sure exactly how it will but do believe having a good swim and riding the first part well will set you up for a good day, I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

 

Brisbane’s Luke Willian will be out to defend his 2021 title but knows the racing will be tight at the front of the field.

Willian will take on a host of big names in the sport, including Olympian and former Noosa champion Jake Birtwhistle, 2021 Noosa runner-up Nicholas Free and 2022 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship fourth place finisher Max Neumann.

“Last year’s win was huge for me, it had been a very disappointing year after missing out on the Olympics and I set Noosa as my goal to win,” said Willian. “I had been in the mix a few times but had never been able to execute it to win, fifth time the charm.

“It’s always such a competitive field, past winner Jacob Birtwistle is back racing as well as Max Neumann fresh off his fourth at Kona,” he said. “It’s going to be fast racing and you have to be at your best to win.”

 

Last year’s second place finisher Nicholas Free is keen to test himself once again against an impressive group of triathletes.

“Having Jake (Birtwhistle) back makes the start list a lot tougher, there is a reason he has been one of Australia's best for the past few years and a previous champion,” said Free. “I'm just going to go out and give my best and see where that puts me.

“The atmosphere is unlike any other triathlon I've done. I heard Max Neumann say on a podcast that he now compares all other triathlons to Noosa and now I can see why,” he said. “All the spectators out on course cheering you on makes for a spectacular day.”

 

Noosa Triathlon is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, and is a feature on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.