Kiwi Janes one to watch for opener

Ironman legend Guy Leech has declared New Zealander Mike Janes one to watch in this Sunday’s opening round of the Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain IronMan Series at Currumbin on the Gold Coast.

Leech, who is this year’s race director, believes Janes, who was awarded a wild card into the series, will be trained up to the minute by his coach at Gold Coast surf club Kurrawa, Phil Clayton.

 

The former Mount Maunganui star, who works as a fence builder between training sessions, finished outside the automatic qualifiers in the trial but Leech and series selectors believed Janes had lots of improvement in him.

 

Janes’s main opposition is expected to come from defending series champion Shannon Eckstein and his Coolangatta Gold winning brother Caine, Olympic open water swimmer Ky Hurst, last year’s runner-up Hugh Dougherty and five time series champion Zane Holmes.

 

“Shannon Eckstein should start the race as the favourite because he is the defending champion and he is a guy with few, if any weaknesses but Mike Janes will be one to watch because there is no way anyone that is trained by Phil Clayton won’t be ready to perform,” Leech said.

 

“While there are so many variables in this race and that’s what makes it so exciting and a great way to kick off the revamped Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain IronMan Series, Mike looks like he is in the shape to handle the two hours.

 

“This is definitely the biggest test he has faced in his career so far but Mike is a great runner and that is so important in this format. That is one of the main attributes you need for sure”

 

Janes pulled out of last week's Coolangatta Gold race to focus on the series, although he's maintained a heavy endurance training base throughout winter.

 

The Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain IronMan Series and the IronWoman Series will be supported this year by a Legends Series that will feature some of the stars of yesteryear competing in teams over a 40 minute course.

 

Those scheduled to compete include Leech, Trevor Hendy, Clayton, Darren Mercer and Manly marvel Craig Riddington.