Rio Olympian Ashleigh Gentle looks to end ‘draining’ year on a high at Noosa Triathlon

NOBODY is happier to end a “draining” year at the Noosa Triathlon this week than three-time winner and Rio Olympian Ashleigh Gentle.

Ashleigh Gentle is gunning for her fourth Noosa Triathlon title.

NOBODY is happier to be at the Noosa Triathlon this week than three-time winner and Rio Olympian Ashleigh Gentle.

Gentle describes her rollercoaster 2016 campaign as “quite physically and emotionally draining’’ and hopes to finish on a high by grabbing a third-consecutive victory at the iconic event this Sunday to take her to four Noosa titles overall.

The Gold Coast-based Gentle finished 26th in Rio after dealing with the stress of having her bike go missing for five days.

When it arrived at the Olympics, the bike was cracked right through the frame forcing a scramble for a replacement.

Outside of Rio, Gentle enjoyed second-placings in ITU events in Montreal, Yokohama and Abu Dhabi as well as a sixth at the World Cup race at Mooloolaba and 10th at last month’s grand final in Mexico.

Gentle competing at the Rio Games.

She said being put through the wringer in Rio would only make her stronger.

“In hindsight, there are so many things I would have done differently. The result was far from what I wanted and left a really bad taste in my mouth,’’ Gentle said.

“I still took a lot away from the whole experience. Next time I’ll be more vocal about what I need going into the event.

“(The broken bike) was a little bit of a disaster. It was unrideable when it eventually got to Rio after being in Miami. Luckily my coach came with a spare bike.’’

Gentle, 25, said returning to her happy hunting ground of the Sunshine Coast would be an emotional release.

A win on Sunday would leave Gentle just one short of record-holder Emma Frodeno (nee Snowsill) who has five Noosa wins.

“This has been a very long year … quite physically and emotionally draining. I’d love nothing more than to win at Noosa and go into my break on a real high,’’ she said.

“We travel so much and compete in high-pressure races all over the world and then you get to Noosa which has a really special atmosphere.

“As a true-blue Queenslander I just love racing in front of my home crowd. The support I get is something I really value. It’s always a great feeling crossing that finish line.’’

Last year’s runner-up Charlotte McShane and 2009 Noosa champion Emma Jackson shape as Gentle’s biggest threats.

The Noosa Triathlon Festival starts on Wednesday.

Originally published as Rio Olympian Ashleigh Gentle looks to end ‘draining’ year on a high at Noosa Triathlon