Search
shop

Astle ‘too aero’, Spirig on road bike? Don and Dempsey on the big talking points

Not just Sub7Sub8 - Yee sportsmanship stands out in Yokohama and unfortunate touch of wheels for Beaugrand
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Pro View
Tim Don
Tim is a triathlon and IRONMAN legend. And alongside Ian Dempsey he’s created Halo ID, a global community for like-minded people with a love for triathlon and endurance sport – all about your next level, whatever that may be.

A week on from St George but still so much for Halo ID’s Tim Don and Ian Dempsey to discuss in their latest catch up on the big talking points.

First up for debate was Sub7Sub8 after the news that the bike pacer teams have been announced.

Tim’s clearly a big fan of Zwift Academy graduate – and IRONMAN WC fifth – Ruth Astle who will be supporting Kat Matthews, but joked: “I’m not sure if I’d have her in my team though – she’s too aero!”

And he’s picked up on interesting news about Matthews’ rival: “I’m about 90% sure Nicola Spirig is going to race on her road bike – hopefully with a disc and definitely deep rims. I’m not sure why – but I’m sure Kat and Mark Matthews will be smiling ear to ear when they hear things like that because every detail matters to go under eight hours.

“She couldn’t be in much better running form mind – she was in a 20,000-runner 16km event on Saturday and won it!”

Advertisement

Advantage Blummenfelt?

And as the men’s Sub7 preparations gather pace, Tim thinks Team Blummenfelt are doing everything right.

He tells us: “The great thing about Kristian‘s team is I know they’ve been doing a lot of work together to ride fast over 112 miles, they worked out different formations, different surge patterns and so on – they really are doing their due diligence and homework.

Alistair‘s team has got the big hitters but can they work together and pace together? It is going to be so, so interesting.”

Away from that, both Tim and Ian kept a close eye on the 2022 WTCS opener in Yokohama and are big fans of para triathlete George Peasgood, Tim saying: “George is on fire, I love to see him deliver, he’s a big-time performer and did it again in Yokohama.

World Triathlon Para Series Yokohama 2022 - George Peasgood
George Peasgood

Alex Yee‘s race was just phenomenal too – and the sportsmanship between him and Hayden Wilde running sub-3min/km pace at that aid station was just amazing.

“And in the women’s Cassandre Beaugrand was really backing up her Arena Games London display with a beautiful swim – but then had that touch of wheels on the bike. I thought she was going to get up and was disappointed she didn’t but I did see a photo afterwards and her wheel was trashed so that was really unfortunate.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Georgia Taylor-Brown race so aggressively – she got chased down and then she went again.”

Ian was at the Outlaw Half at Nottingham and explains why in effect Jack Hutchens took out not only the win but probably deserved the course record too.

And fair to say our dynamic duo are yet to be convinced by the PTO’s Pro-Am event in Los Angeles…

Watch the embed for more and head over to Halo ID for the full version.

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
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
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
IRONMAN World Championship 2019 / Kona 2019
IRONMAN’s new age-group system for Kona – all the big questions answered
Frederic Funk finish line Challenge Samarkand 2023 photo credit Challenge Family
Challenge Roth 2025: German star goes into the unknown in iconic triathlon showdown
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...