Search
shop

Ashleigh Gentle proud of performance despite missing out on top spot at PTO Tour US Open

Ashleigh Gentle reacts to her second place finish at the PTO Tour US Open in Milwaukee.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Having won two PTO Tour events last season in Edmonton and Dallas, Australian Ashleigh Gentle has now made it two runner-up finishes from two this year, with second to Taylor Knibb at the PTO Tour US Open this past weekend coming after she finished behind Anne Haug at the PTO Tour European Open in May.

Whilst the PTO World #1 admitted she was a little disappointed not to take the win, she remained proud of her performance, which saw the roles reversed after beating Knibb to the top spot at the same race last year. With another shot at a win in Singapore at the PTO Tour Asian Open in two weeks time, Gentle remains one of the very best over the 100km distance.

“I gave it 110%”

Recounting just how brutal the race was, Gentle was adamant that she couldn’t have done any more, tipping her hat to Knibb for a performance that was just better than what the Aussie could produce on the day.

Ashleigh Gentle PTO Tour US Open 2023 Milwaukee
Australian star Ashleigh Gentle finishes second to American Taylor Knibb at triathlon’s PTO Tour US Open for 2023 in Milwaukee (Photo – PTO).

“It’s probably a bit of both [Congratulations and commiserations]. It would’ve been nice to have defended my title but I gave it 110% and I can’t be disappointed, Taylor was the better athlete on the day and she had a phenomenal race. It hurts to lose, but how can you be disappointed when you lose like that to Taylor.”

Adding that it was a tough but strong race across the board, with her swim and bike legs in particular something she had worked hard on, Gentle said that the riding was especially ferocious in Milwaukee, which led her to doubt at times just how much she would have left in the tank on the run.

“I guess a lot of people talk about my run because it’s my strength, but I really tried to swim as best I could today and I had a lot of faith in my cycling too. I am not a cyclist like Taylor but I do think my riding is really strong.

“I wanted to try and hang with those people like Paula [Findlay], who is a really great cyclist and it definitely wasn’t easy as I put a lot of work in at the start, which I think I paid for when Lucy [Byram] came flying past.

“It’s definitely difficult because it is on me to bridge that gap, but when you have a strength like me in the run you don’t have many friends, so it was a tough race but I’m really happy.” 

“I just had to trust my run legs would come”

Asked what she would change about the race if she could, Gentle again reiterated just how hard the bike was and said that the intensity caused her to take on less nutrition than she had planned, something that might’ve come back to bite her.

“I think I would have tried to nail my nutrition a little better if I could do anything differently, but it was so hard and so fast that I think there were periods that I just forgot to take on my nutrition and I did pay for it a little on the back end.

“I was a little concerned when I came off the bike and didn’t feel great, I never do off the bike, but I just had to trust my run legs would come and took on a little nutrition at the start of the first lap.” 

With the PTO Tour Asian Open just around the corner, Gentle was quizzed on what she had planned over the next fortnight, with the Australian saying that she wasn’t ready to think about the race itself, but was excited to see friends and family soon.

“I do not want to think about that now! Singapore is brutal, but I will definitely try and get some recovery in and then speak to my coach. I have only got a week in Boulder before flying to Singapore, so it will come around quickly, but I am really excited because I have been living out of a suitcase and will get to see my friends and family there soon.”

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
Ruth Astle finishing IRONMAN Vitoria 2024
PremiumHow to cope with a DNF: Elite athletes share their stories
PremiumIs your evening workout routine wrecking your recovery? Expert physiologist on how to improve recovery and what NOT to do
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
03/07/2025 - Tour de France 2025 - Grand départ Jour 2 - Lille - Présentation des équipes -Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike)
PremiumWhat triathletes can learn from the Tour de France pro peloton
latest News
Sam Laidlow celebrates Challenge Roth win 2025
FOLLOW LIVE: Sam Laidlow in action at IRONMAN Leeds 2025
Paula Findlay wins IRONMAN Boise 2025
IRONMAN 70.3 Boise results 2025: Findlay and Appleton the Idaho stars
Alex Yee wins Super tri Toronto 2025
Supertri Toronto 2025 men’s results: Stunning triathlon return from Olympic champ Alex Yee
Jolien Vermeylen wins Supertri Toronto 2025
Supertri Toronto 2025 women’s results: Jolien Vermeylen stuns big guns for famous DEBUT win
Alex Yee supertri Neom 2024 win Photo credit: Darren Wheeler | supertri
WATCH AGAIN: Supertri Toronto 2025 as Brownlee Racing make a PERFECT start
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...