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.

Advertisement

“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
TRI247 podcast p/b Challenge Family episode 2
Go behind the scenes at Challenge Roth with the latest episode of the TRI247 podcast
Cadomotus Chronos triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Challenge Family Roth
Five things you need to know about the Challenge Roth bike course
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
latest News
ironman hamburg 2025 podium laura philipp kat matthews solveig lovseth beer
Challenge Roth 2025: Laura Philipp backed to make triathlon history by crashing through magical time barrier
Challenge Roth press conference 2025
Challenge Roth 2025: Date, start times, how to watch live and who’s racing
Georgia Taylor Brown wins supertri Toulouse 2024
British Olympic legend Georgia Taylor-Brown to make triathlon return
Gwen Jorgensen reflective World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mer 2023
‘Unbreakable’ Gwen Jorgensen ‘bruised’ after bike crash but vows to bounce back
IRONMAN CEO Scott DeRue Women For Tri 2024
IRONMAN announce new age-group qualification system for Kona and 70.3 Worlds
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

Share to...