A FORMER professional cyclist is among the entries for the Ironman competition being held in Port Macquarie on Sunday 20 October.
Gold Coast-based Michael Sargent retired from the circuit in 2012 and says he now has his sights firmly fixed on establishing himself as a professional triathlete.
Sargent has been honing his triathlon skills for just 12 months and acknowledges there is still work to be done, but believes he has what it takes and will get to measure his progress when he lines up at Ironman 70.3.
“I think it will be a few years before I get my swim and run up to a competitive level with the top guys, definitely I can, I am 25, and a lot of those guys are in their mid to late thirties so if I can get to those performance levels, then I will turn pro for sure,” Sargent said.
Sargent was just 12 years old when he started road cycling but prior to that was a swimmer.
“I rode for numerous Queensland teams as a junior and then after that spent some time with a team call G.E.T./Flight Centre, renamed to Virgin Blue. After that I joined ‘Pro TDU’ team racing the National Road Series around Australia for the last couple of years.
“I wouldn’t say that you can make a very good living from it, but it is ‘professional,’ as they say.”
Sargent was drawn to triathlon because the personal investment in training directly translates to results and is something measurable.
“To be honest triathlon is a sport, especially long-course racing, where by if you put the work in, the results’ will reflect that, and I enjoy that honesty of the sport, that is appealing,” he said.
“Cycling on the other hand, you don’t necessarily have to be the strongest there, you just need to be able to put your wheel into gaps that aren’t really there, and take risks that could potentially mean crashes, lots of crashing, and I am not willing to risk crashing on a day-to-day basis anymore.
“I have always known about triathlon, and always enjoyed watching them on TV, and have always thought that I would definitely love to do an Ironman one day, no matter how old I get I want to do one.”
Sargent admits he is still learning the ropes and has much work to do.
“I would say I am still adapting to be honest, I think it will take a couple of years to see where I can actually get to. I definitely still have a lot of work to do in all three disciplines.
“Even the bike, changing from racing crits and road races to doing long time trials, it’s like doing a whole new sport.”
He is hesitant to put a time on his effort in this race but is hopeful it will be an encouraging one.
The event requires athletes to complete a 1.9km swim, a 90km cycle and a 21.1km run.
For further information www.ironmanportmacquarie.com.
