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Hard-on-the-heels of his hat-trick of European victories, Faris Al Sultan, captain of Abu Dhabi Triathlon Team, has set his sights on the gruelling Ironman 70.3 UK, his British competitive debut.
Taking place Sunday 20th June in Brompton Regis, near Dulverton, Somerset, in the west of England, the Ironman 70.3 consists of three sections – a 1.2 miles (1.9 kms) swim, followed by a bike of 56 miles (90.1 kms) with a lung-bursting elevation of 1,748 metres before ending on a 13.1 mile (21.1 kms) run.
With a string of recent victories on the continent, Al Sultan - who leads the seven-member Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA)-backed endurance squad - is confident his run of form will put him in good stead to tackle one of the world’s toughest 70.3 triathlons.
And with its finishing run leg longer than typical Ironman events, Abu Dhabi ace Al Sultan, who is still getting over the after-effects of a leg injury, knows it could be his toughest event of the year.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever raced in Great Britain and the Ironman 70.3 UK is definitely one of the country’s finest races. There’s no doubt this is a tough one: the course is challenging with diverse terrain plus I will be competing against some of the world’s leading competitors,” said Al Sultan, one of the sport’s top endurance cyclists.
“The injury took its toll yet things seem to be recovering well. I know that if I am to be successful in this event, I’ve got to play to my strengths in the swim and bike legs and open up enough of a lead to see me through to the end.”
The race sold out in record time with over 1,500 athletes, including some of the world’s most respected elites, signed up to battle it out for international bragging rights.
Leading the charge in the men’s category is former 2007 Ironman World Champion, Aussie Chris MacCormack. He will be joined by defending champion Phil Graves, who is keen to retain the title on home soil. Also on the starting line will be fellow Briton, Fraser Cartmell.
One of the UK’s most promising young athletes, Cartmell won the Ironman 70.3 UK three years ago and came third last year.
The Scottish star has gone from strength-to-strength this season, a highlight of which was his fourth place finish in the inaugural US$250,000 Abu Dhabi International Triathlon held in March this year. Cartmell was part of an impressive line-up which saw more than 800 athletes from over 30 countries battle it out on Abu Dhabi’s unique street course including the Yas Marina Circuit – home of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
With a daunting line-up facing Al Sultan, and the Ironman 70.3 UK’s notorious reputation for its unpredictable weather and difficult conditions, the Abu Dhabi racer – who has three Ironman World Championship top three finishes under his belt, including a win in 2005 - is hoping for a little bit of luck this weekend.
”I’m looking forward to representing our team in the UK and I hope for merciful and warm weather. Rain and wind can cause confusion amongst racers and automatically make the course more demanding. The unpredictability of this race is always a factor so being prepared for it is a big part of the battle, the rest can be out of your hands somewhat,” added Al Sultan, who is nicknamed the Sultan of Sweat.
Ironman 70.3 UK is one of the international racing calendar’s most anticipated events, and Al Sultan will use the event as a training springboard for Ironman Regensburg, a crucial qualifying step in the race to the Hawaii Ironman World Championship.
Abu Dhabi Triathlon Team, created by ADTA to further the emirate’s global athletic performance credentials, will compete in more then 40 top international events this season including Ironman, 70.3 and the French Championships.
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