Tassie triathlete star returns to World Triathlon Championship Series for first time since 2019

After spending much of the past 18 months training in his home town of Launceston, Tokyo bound Jake Birtwhistle will return to international racing for the first time since 2019 this weekend

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TOKYO bound Jake Birtwhistle will compete on the international circuit for the first time since 2019 when he contests the World Triathlon Championship Series opener in Yokohama.

Tasmania’s triathlete star — who alongside Ashleigh Gentle late last year had his Olympic selection from the Triathlon Australia board ratified to the Australian Olympic Committee — will be one of just six Australians who will feature in Japan this weekend.

Highly restrictive travel due to COVID-19 has limited the number of athletes who have headed to Yokohama in the first edition of the revamped WTCS, which will see four Australians square off with international rivals in the 1.5km swim, 40km bike and 10km run.

Another two paratriathletes, Clint Pickin (wen’s PTS4) and Katie Kelly (women’s PTVI) will also don the green and gold.

Jake Birtwhistle poses for a photograph at the unveiling of the Australian Olympic Team competition uniforms for Tokyo 2020. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Birtwhistle has not raced on the world stage since prior to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, where he collected two World Triathlon Series titles in 2019 to stamp himself as a genuine Olympic medal contender.

“I’m really grateful that we have the opportunity to race in Yokohama this weekend,” said Birtwhistle, who has spent the majority of 2020 and early this year training in his hometown of Launceston.

“It’s been a long time since my last international race, so I’m just happy to be back. I’ve spent the past year just focusing on building that strong training base at home.

“I’m looking forward to putting my training to the test in Yokohama this weekend. It’s a great opportunity to see where my training is at, but more important to simply be back racing this top level competition again ahead of Tokyo in a few months.”

WINNER: Jake Birtwhistle after claiming victory at the 2019 Noosa Triathlon.

Joining him in the elite men’s field is Aaron Royle.

The duo will face strong competition, with training partners and podium regulars Vincent Luis (France) and Belgium pair Jelle Geens and Marten Van Riel all headed to Yokohama.

South African 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Henri Schoeman, two-time Olympic medallist Jonathan Brownlee (Great Britain) and 2019 World Triathlon grand final winner Kristian Blummenfelt (Norway) are also joining the strong international line up.

Natalie Van Coevorden and Emma Jackson will fly the national flag in the women’s elite race.

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