Search
shop

Leader of the pack: Macca on Skipper stepping up to Sub7 plate

British star faces huge task in a number of areas
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Joe Skipper went from being a part of Alistair Brownlee’s Sub7 team to the leader of the pack in one moment on Monday.

The British star’s role in Sunday’s proceedings went in a split second from support act to star attraction. Not a small change, and one emphasised by two-time Kona Chris McCormack – one of the driving forces behind this ground-breaking event.

After arriving at the event location near Dresden in Germany, McCormack said: “I came down with Joe Skipper who’s stepped out of the pacing duties with Alistair into, I guess, the GC position, the lead role position of the team.

Advertisement

Skipper must change strategy

“His main concern now is taking the team that was built for Alistair Brownlee, a team put together by Alistair, which he was a member of that pacing team.

“They’ve been training together in a specific role and his role was to really lead a lot of that longer bike section, with that team, as part of Alistair’s pacing team.

“Now he’s got to take that position of Alistair and it’s a completely different attack strategy he’s going to take.”

Not only does the strategy change with Skipper and not Brownlee taking on Olympic Champion Kristian Blummenfelt, the mindset must change as well.

Joe must now be the leader

“He’s going to be behind the eight ball, potentially, on Kristian Blummenfelt, which is not where Alistair would have been. Alistair was looking to take some time out of the swim.

“He’s moving a lot of these pacers around, he’s bringing some some local marathon runners in to pace him.

“But his main objective I think now, after speaking with him on the drive here and after him being with the team, is to really take that leadership role to get the team to buy into him as the new team leader.”

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
Lisa Tertsch Cassandre Beaugrand Beth Potter Hamburg WTCS 2024 Photo credit: Tommy Zaferes / World Triathlon
WTCS Hamburg 2025: Start time, preview and how to watch live
IRONMAN CEO Scott DeRue Women For Tri 2024
‘The more co-operation the better’ – Challenge Roth chief welcomes IRONMAN CEO’s visit
joe-skipper-kona-2022-bike
Joe Skipper says his Challenge Roth experience proves just how high the bar now is in triathlon
Anne Haug wins Challenge Roth 2024 [Photo credit: Simon Fischer | Challenge Roth]
Anne Haug on inspiration ahead of comeback, sub-eight and no intention of retiring just yet
Caroline Pohle Ironman 70.3 Zell Am See 2024
CHAOS as Lena Meissner wins amazing sprint finish to become 70.3 European Champion and is then DEMOTED
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...