Bayliss and Comerford Ride for Two Days to Their Race and Do Well!!

Saturday, 12th August 2006

Bella Comerford and Stephen Bayliss, Britain's 'Ironcouple', showed there is no harm in indulging in the passion you grew up with for the sports that make up triathlon, even on the day that you compete.

Instead of conventional forms of transport such as driving or public transport whilst preparing oneself mentally for the gruelling antics that lay ahead, Comerford and Bayliss rode to their race at Alp Dhuez for two days and came 5th and 6th respectively, following a 1500 metre swim, 38km bike ride and 9km run.  

Comerford (www.bellacomerford.com) says: 'Our coach, Stephen and I thought that it would be great training, so we organised a route, accommodation and a crew of people and did it!' 

The pair decided to race at the Alp d'huez Triathlon, organised by ex Champion long distance athlete Cyril Neveu. Alp d'huez is one of the very famous climbs of the Tour de France, and Comerford and Bayliss thought that this, coupled by the long commute, would be ideal preparation foe the pair's next challenge.

Comerford and Bayliss are racing EmbrunMan Triathlon next week. Comerford adds: 'We thought a good week of riding in the mountains would help us for this race, as EmbrunMan is a very mountainous Ironman. EmbrunMan is a special Ironman race to Comerford as it was her first
Ironman, which she won and beat the women's course record by 7 minutes, which still stands.

Meanwhile Bayliss (www.stephenbayliss.net) is also set to have a great day at EmbrunMan as climbing mountains is his strong point.

Preparations for EmbrunMan, which will also be followed by the European Long Distance Championships, will mean that Comerford and Bayliss will not be able to compete at this year's Ironman UK.

Source:  Press Release

More info:  http://www.embrunman.com/