Davison looks to home race to make another impression
Tuesday 4 February 2014, 1:52PM
By Triathlon NZ
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Tom Davison has made headlines in recent weeks with an astonishing third in the recent cycling road nationals on a notoriously difficult course in Christchurch, generating plenty of coverage about the Christchurch native’s prowess on the bike.
But it is in his preferred sport of triathlon that the 24 year old wants to make waves again.
“I took a break for a year from ITU racing so I am pretty excited to get back into it this year, it will be a shock to the system but we’ll see how I go.
“My immediate plans this year are ITU focused with the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in mind and making an impression with Tri NZ and the selectors. Afterwards non-drafting may be my long term goal with the likes of Kona a goal way down the pipeline but for now, my focus is definitely getting back into ITU racing and seeing if I can make an impression for Glasgow.
After finishing an impressive 4th in the Oceania Sprint Championships at Kinloch last weekend, during which he again rode superbly putting a minute on the elite field during the bike leg, Davison will race this Sunday at the Pegasus round of the .kiwi Tri Series, a race that carries ITU points for the elites in a heat and final format over a super sprint distance. Athletes will race in the morning in heats looking to qualify for the afternoon final, making for an interesting mix of flat out speed and tactics through the day.
“I’m looking forward to racing the .kiwi race at Pegasus on Sunday as I am chasing a few ITU points. If I can get on the start list in Auckland (opening round of the ITU World Triathlon Series in April) it would be awesome to show the selectors what I am made of with the Commonwealth Games in mind, this is absolutely my goal for the start of the season.”
Davison says that racing so close to home has its advantages too.
“The super sprint distance will be exciting and the racing will be great on what is a flat and fast course. The best thing is I can stay at home, sleep in my own bed and make my way to the course on the morning of the race. This will be the first time I have done an ITU race of this stature here in Christchurch so it will be cool.”
He will not have it his own way by any stretch with a big and high quality field confirmed for the streets of Pegasus on Sunday, including world number 13 Ryan Sissons, Wanaka’s Tony Dodds (runner up to Sissons at last weekend’s Oceania Sprint Championships in Kinloch) along with a smattering of French, Australian and a host of other New Zealand triathletes looking to make their mark.