For details on paratriathlon and the different classification read Paratriathlon: the ultimate guide
RYAN TAYLOR
Category PT2
Age 23
Lives Loughborough
Career Highlights
3rd, ITU World Champs, 2015
2016 SEASON TO DATE
2nd, ITU Paratriathlon Event, Aguilas
1st, ITU Paratriathlon Event, Buffalo City
RYAN’S STRENGTH
He can outrun the majority of athletes in his class.
RYAN’S WEAKNESS
He loses time on the swim due to the imbalances that he has as a result of cerebral palsy.
RYAN’S MAIN RIVALS
See Andy Lewis below, and replace Ryan for Andy!
OUR PREDICTION
With the perfect race he can improve on 2015 Worlds bronze. But we think Lewis will pip him.
ANDY LEWIS
Category PT2
Age 33
Lives Loughborough
Career Highlights
2016 European PT2 Champion
3rd, Rio Test Event, 2015
2016 SEASON TO DATE
European PT2 Champion
1st, ITU Paratriathlon Event, Penrith
ANDY’S STRENGTH
Strong throughout and has some of the fastest transition times in his class.
ANDY’S WEAKNESS
He miscounted his laps at the 2015 Worlds, but it was uncharacteristic.
ANDY’S MAIN RIVALS
The USA’s Mark Barr (silver in the Test Event), Italy’s Michele Ferrarin (p118), France’s Stephane Bahier (silver at the Euros and 2015 Worlds) and Taylor, left.
OUR PREDICTION
Silver for Lewis.
DAVID HILL
Category PT4
Age 27
Lives Loughborough
Career Highlights
10 x top-5 finishes in 10 out of 15 events
2016 SEASON TO DATE
3rd, ITU Paratri, Strathclyde & Besançon
6th, European Championships
2nd, ITU Paratriathlon Event, Buffalo City
DAVID’S STRENGTH
Experience of two previous Paralympic Games as a swimmer.
DAVID’S WEAKNESS
Been known to lose time on the bike.
DAVID’S MAIN RIVALS
Germany’s Martin Schulz (Euro champ, ’15 Worlds silver medallist and Test Event winner), Canada’s Stefan Daniel and France’s Yannick Borseaux (Euro, world and TE bronze medallist).
OUR PREDICTION
A solid sixth-place finish is doable.
PHIL HOGG
Category PT1
Age 46
Lives Derbyshire
Career highlights
2013 European PT1 Champion
2014 National PT1 Champion
6 x ITU World Paratriathlon Event podiums
2016 Season to date
6th, ITU World Champs
3rd, ITU Paratriathlon Event, Strathclyde
5th, European Champs 2nd, ITU Paratriathlon Event, Buffalo City
PHIL’S STRENGTH
His swim – he’s one of the strongest swimmers in PT1.
PHIL’S WEAKNESS
His bike.
PHIL’S MAIN RIVALS
Same as teammate Joe Townsend’s… And Joe Townsend.
OUR PREDICTION
7th.
GEORGE PEASGOOD
Category PT4
Age 20
Lives Loughborough
Career highlights
2015 National Champion
2014 3rd, National Champs
2013 3rd, ITU World Champs
2016 Season to date
12th, ITU World Champ
13th, ITU Paratriathlon Event, Besançon
5th, European Champs
1st, ITU Paratriathlon Event, Penrith
GEORGE’S MAIN RIVALS
Same as teammate David Hill’s… and David Hill.
OUR PREDICTION
5th-7th.
JOE TOWNSEND
Category PT1
Age 28
Lives Loughborough
Career Highlights
4 x Athletics golds, 2014 Invictus Games
2nd, Ironman Worlds, 2012
υ 2016 SEASON TO DATE
3rd, ITU Paratriathlon Event, Besançon
3rd, European Championships
2nd, ITU Paratriathlon Event, Penrith
JOE’S STRENGTH
His bike and run, plus overall world-class performances matching the best in his class.
JOE’S WEAKNESS
Townsend came to the sport with no swim background but he’s worked hard on it over the years.
JOE’S MAIN RIVALS
Australia’s Bill Chaffey (reigning world champ and Test Event victor), America’s Krige Schabort (silver medallist at 2015 Worlds and Test Event) and the Netherland’s Jetze Plat (2015 Worlds bronze medallist, p118) and Geert Schipper (Test Event bronze medallist).
OUR PREDICTION
If the above four are on top form, we predict fifth for Townsend.
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