Double Olympic gold medalist Alistair Brownlee returns to action this weekend at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside eager to impress after a tough couple of years for the Brit.
The elder Brownlee saw his attempt to bid for a threepeat in Tokyo ruined by an ankle injury which required surgery last summer, but he returns to face a star-studded line-up in California on Saturday.
The 33-year-old will square-off against former Oceanside 70.3 winners in the shape of Canadian Lionel Sanders and American Ben Kanute, with further talents such as Rudy Von Berg, Sam Appleton, Jackson Laundry, Matt Hanson, Andreas Dreitz, David McNamee and Bart Aernouts looking to take the crown.
Brownlee happy to be back
But for Alistair, Oceanside 70.3 marks the start of his return from injury.
“It’s obviously been a really tough few years, but I’m just genuinely happy to be here,” Brownlee said in a message posted on the Professional Triathletes’ Organisation social media channels.
“It’s nice to be in sunny California, but it’s even nicer to be on the start line for a race this weekend for the Oceanside 70.3.
“I’ve trained hard. I’ve been lucky enough to train hard for six months – had a long, consistent winter’s training and now it’s great to be on a start line and I’m just looking forward to racing.
Lots to look forward to
With plenty of exciting races on the 2022 calendar, including two IRONMAN World Championships, Alistair is yet to firm up plans for the remainder of his 2022 season.
He does, however, have his eyes on the lucrative PTO Tour events and the Collins Cup.
“I’m not too worried about the rest of the season as it is at the moment – obviously the PTO races are a big focus for me, both the Collins Cup – hopefully if I can get enough racing in before then – and also the Tour races.
“But at the moment I’m just happy to be racing this weekend.”
Are we in a triathlon boom, or hurtling towards burnout? Laura Siddall on the growth of the sport
