Beth Potter credits Brownlee guidance for ‘breakthrough year’

When Beth Potter first moved to Leeds to give triathlon a shot in 2017, the gulf in cycling experience between herself and Alistair Brownlee could hardly have been greater.

The year before the decorated Yorkshireman had become the first triathlete to win a second Olympic gold medal and was known as one of the best bikers in triathlon.

Scarcely a day went by when he wouldn’t be out on two wheels, up hill and down dale whatever the conditions. In contrast, Potter, having switched focus from elite running, had hardly pedalled a bike at all.

Roll on seven years and the pair are training together on a daily basis, Potter says she is “running less but running better than ever before” with the volume of cycling in her programme helping to develop her aerobic engine to compete with the world’s best triathletes.

Organised chaos 

“Alistair said I needed to be more efficient at running off the bike, and that’s not from doing more running, but more swimming and biking,” Potter said. “I’ve really knuckled down with that. I ride with cyclists all the time now and do a couple of sessions a week that are pretty hard and quite race-like, in groups, and sitting on wheels. It’s organised chaos. That sort of stuff really helps.”

Potter not only became world champion with her win in Pontevedra on Sunday, but following victory in August’s Olympic test event, she also met British Triathlon’s criteria – the toughest in the world – to clinch qualification for the team in Paris next year.

It means she will head to next year’s Games as reigning world champion and one of the favourites. “I think that it sets a good marker,” she added.  “Alistair said something like: ‘Go to Pontevedra. Win Pontevedra. Win the world championship and then have everyone scared for next year.’

“It was ‘do this, this and this, and show them that you’re serious for next year.’ Easier said than done, but I said: ‘Okay, I’ll try and do that!’”

Potter achieved it in style, winning her fourth World Triathlon Championship Series race of the season in north-west Spain with an assured performance to take the tape ahead of British team-mate Kate Waugh.

It extended her lead over France’s Cassandre Beaugrand in the overall standings and also gave her the required second podium alongside the result in Paris to automatically secure her Olympic place and not face an anxious wait into next year.

“I didn’t actually think I could do it at the start of the year because it’s such a big ask,” she added. “But it’s good to get it in the bag. It’s just a massive weight off my shoulders. I can have a proper break after Super League finishes and I know exactly what I need to do now for next year.”

Lodging with Jonny Brownlee

Potter has a second Brownlee to thank because she also credits Alistair’s younger brother Jonny for urging her to stick with the training as she adapted to the volume-based work that was far higher than when she had been a track runner and physics teacher based in London. Potter lodged with Jonny for a period when she first moved to Leeds.

There is a settled and successful support structure in place, too. The programme is still marshalled by Jack Maitland, who agreed to stay on as coach after leaving his role with the Leeds Triathlon Centre after 16 years in 2017.

Dane Mitchell takes care of the strength and conditioning and Andy Henderson the running. Both are based at Leeds Beckett University working with an array of elite British athletes. Coz Tantrum looks after the Monday-to-Friday swimming sessions, with Alistair supporting with cycle training.

“Jack is now more once-a-week for a coffee and catch-up, but Alistair sees me training the most. Every day, often a couple of times a day,” Potter added. “I’d describe him as someone who guides me and keeps me on track, and a friend.”

What did Alistair text Beth during the Grand Final?

While his opinion is sought and valued, it’s not always conventional support, such as when he was watching the race in Pontevedra on Sunday.

“Basically, instead of shouting at the TV, he just texted me his emotions,” Potter explained. “It reads: ‘’What happened on the second lap of the swim when you dived in? Why are you in last place on the bike? You need a smaller aero helmet. You need to be rolling through to the front into T2. Stop running next to Kate. Stop looking behind you. Naff celebration. Only kidding. Well done!’”

Top image credit: Tommy Zaferes/World Triathlon