PTO Tour US Open: Ashleigh Gentle leads the way as women's field announced

PTO World #1 Ashleigh Gentle is the first name on the start list for the PTO Tour US Open next month, as the Australian looks to defend her title from Dallas at the new race venue in Milwaukee on August 5.

Home favourites Taylor Knibb and Chelsea Sodaro lead the way for the Americans, with Paula Findlay and Tamara Jewett ensuring that Canada will be well represented South of the Border.

With 24 athletes announced so far in the women’s field, it looks set to be an exciting race, but misses the top-end quality that the PTO Tour European Open boasted, with winner Anne Haug and third place finisher Lucy Charles-Barclay both absent.

Milwaukee set for fireworks

Whilst four of the current PTO World Top 10 are missing in Milwaukee – Haug, Charles-Barclay, Daniela Ryf and Emma Pallant-Browne – the field is still strong and looks like the perfect opportunity for Gentle to claim another PTO Tour win.

PTO European Open 2023 Ibiza - Ashleigh Gentle — [Photo credit: PTO / James Mitchell]

After a rocky start to the year, Gentle was impressive in Ibiza, only losing to a brilliant Haug, with the Aussie looking to be trending in the right direction heading into August after consecutive podiums at IRONMAN 70.3 Switzerland and IRONMAN 70.3 Andorra.

Whilst she might not be in the same form she was last season where she took the PTO Canadian Open and US Open wins so dominantly, Gentle knows the 100km distance inside and out and will without a doubt be the heavy favourite heading into Milwaukee.

In terms of challengers, Findlay and Knibb, off the back of some national time trial action to start the summer, are the big names on the start list and finished runner-up to Gentle at the Canadian and US Open last year respectively. Can they finally beat Gentle here?

Laura Philipp, who missed the race in Ibiza due to sickness, is definitely one to watch after a win at IRONMAN 70.3 Kraichgau and third at Challenge Roth, whilst conversely, Sodaro will hope she can rediscover some form after a disappointing spell that has seen her DNF in Ibiza and Roth.

Laura Philipp Challenge Roth 2023 photo credit Challenge Roth — [Photo credit: Challenge Roth]

Finally, only the home nation outnumbers the Brits, as five women from the United Kingdom make the initial start list. Kat Matthews, Holly Lawrence and Challenge Championship winner India Lee all have the quality to podium in Milwaukee as both Ruth Astle and Lucy Byram are provided with a good opportunity to prove themselves in a high calibre field.

Four wild cards for the big showdown in Milwaukee will be announced on Thursday (July 13).