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 -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

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
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
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!)
latest News
The PTO's CEO Sam Renouf
PTO reveal ambitions of matching Roth and Kona as French Riviera T100 triathlon course details unveiled
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘No No No’ – Sam Long says he felt ROBBED by swim cancellation at ‘69.1 Chattanooga’
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
Jonny Brownlee / Jonathan Brownlee - Super League Triathlon London 2023
Did the Brownlee brothers nearly join pro cycling’s Team Sky after 2012 Olympic heroics?
Kristian Hogenhaug interviewed after The Championship 2025
Danish triathlon star highlights blistering bike split as key to The Championship success.
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...