On 23rd June all triathlon eyes will be on the double Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee as he takes on the full distance for the first time ever at Ironman Cork. How Brownlee fares here could indicate what the future holds for arguably the greatest short-course triathlete in history.
And so far indications are good for the Brit over longer distances. Ali moved up to the 70.3 distance in 2017, notching up wins at Ironman 70.3 St George, and Gloria Challenge Mogán Gran Canaria
Later that year, injury unfortunately kept him off the start line at the 2017 Ironman 70.3 World Championship and delayed a possible long-distance debut, but he came back in formidable fashion in 2018 with wins at Ironman 70.3 Dubai and Ironman 70.3 Liuzhou and a second place at the2018 70.3 Worlds behind Jan Frodeno and ahead of Javier Gomez, in perhaps one of the greatest 70.3 battles of all time.
But how will he fare over the full distance, just two weeks after the Olympic distance WTS Leeds? With the Ironman World Championship in Kona now in his sights, will he qualify in Cork? It’s going to be an exciting watch.
“We already knew the eyes of the triathlon world would be on Cork this June, but with Alistair Brownlee choosing to make his IRONMAN debut here, viewers and local supporters will be in for a treat,” said John Wallnutt, Ironman Cork Race Director. “Ironman Cork was always going to be a historic event being Ireland’s first ever Ironman race. Now, it becomes the race where one of the greatest triathletes of our time takes the next step in his triathlon evolution. This is something we can’t wait to see.”
Watch Alistair Brownlee take on his first ever long distance at Ironman Cork, as the event will be streamed live on Facebook Watch.
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