Don and Dibens to Lead Team England Triathlon Challenge
Tuesday, 18th October 2005
Tim Don and Julie Dibens will spearhead Team England's triathlon challenge at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games after producing terrific performances in the final selection race at the weekend.
The pair were today (Monday) named by the Commonwealth Games Council for England in a six-strong England triathlon team for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Don made sure of his place in the England team by winning the men's race at the second selection event, the St Kilda triathlon in Melbourne on Saturday (15th October). The race was held over a similar course to the one that will be used at the Commonwealth Games in March.
The Loughborough athlete, who finished 10th at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and 18th at Athens 2004, is currently ranked second overall in the 2005 World Cup series with three World Cup race wins under his belt.
"It was a tough race, but I knew I had to win to guarantee making the team," he said. "You've got to be in it to win it, and I know I'm going to be on the starting line in Melbourne in March. I've got two more World Cup races this year, but then I'll be focussing on the Commonwealth Games, and I'm really looking forward to racing there.
"We've got a really good team," he added. "We all get on really well and there's a really good vibe."
Dibens produced a tremendous performance to finish runner-up to Australia's Annabel Luxford by just 45 seconds in the women's race on Saturday. Dibens' performance was particularly impressive as it was the Bath-based athlete's first major competitive triathlon since the Athens 2004 Olympics since which time she has undergone two foot operations. Dibens finished 11th at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games and 30th in the Athens Olympics.
"This has made all the hard work worthwhile. There was a long time this year when I thought my triathlon career could be over," said Julie. "It's nice to know I've still got a future and that I can compete at the top level again. It's a very exciting time for me."
The England team also includes 20-year-old Will Clarke, who has won selection for the Commonwealth Games in only his first season competing in Olympic distance triathlons. Stuart Hayes, 11th at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games, will also line-up in Melbourne. He finished sixth in Saturday's race, one place and six seconds ahead of Clarke.
Andrea Whitcombe and Liz Blatchford, currently ranked fourth and ninth overall in the 2005 Women's World Cup series, are also named in the England team for Melbourne. Whitcombe was seventh on Saturday, a repeat of her position at the first selection race, the World Championships in Gamagori, Japan in September. Blatchford, winner of the Salford World Cup race in July, finished eighth in Gamagori.
Ann Hogbin, Chef de Mission of Team England for Melbourne, said: "I'd like to congratulate our triathletes on making the England team for Melbourne and wish them the very best of luck in their continued preparation for the 2006 Commonwealth Games, and also at the Games themselves."
The Team England triathlon team for Melbourne is:
Men
- Will Clarke - Cambridge (31.01.85)
- Tim Don - Loughborough (14.01.78)
- Stuart Hayes - Loughborough (16.04.79)
Women
- Liz Blatchford - Mermaid Waters, Queensland, Australia (05.02.80)
- Julie Dibens - Bath (04.03.75)
- Andrea Whitcombe - North Harrow, Middlesex (08.06.71)
England's triathletes missed out on the medals when the sport made its full debut at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games. Both the men's and women's races at Melbourne 2006 take place on Saturday 18th March.
For further information can check the Commonwealth Games Council for England website at www.cgce.co.uk or www.trinews.co.uk
Article Source: British Triathlon Association Press Release, Monday, 17 October 2005