The former 70.3 World Champion is hungry to prove himself in Kona
There is no denying that Tim Reed has proved himself a champion in the Ironman 70.3 distance with 23 victories to his name, including winning the prestigious 2016 World Championships. But now Tim has his eye on winning the big one, the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.
Despite Tim winning Ironman Australia in 2016, he has yet to crack a big result in Hawaii. Last year he finished in 18th, respectable, certainly, but not anywhere close to what he wants and knows he can achieve.
The 34-year-old Australian is hungry to show what he is capable of in Kona and based on his results leading into the race on October 12th, he is on track, at least, to get his best result yet at the big show.
Tim Reed trains on the Kona roads. Photo: ©koruptvision
One of his biggest goals of the 2019 season was Ironman Australia, and Tim battled to a second-place finish that had him celebrating over the finish line.
Some were surprised at how happy I was at the finish given it was a second-place finish. My performance was my best to date over this distance, nearly 7 minutes quicker than when I won in 2016 on an easier day, so of course I was ecstatic.
Tim poses with his new Kona edition Project One Speed Concept. Photo: ©koruptvision
After Australia, Tim added two more wins to his tally, winning Ironman 70.3 Coeur d’Alene in Idaho at the end of June, and Ironman 70.3 Philippines, August 11th.
Only a few days remain until race day Saturday, and Tim hopes all will go well, but in a race that lasts over eight hours, it’s never that easy.
“An Ironman is never as simple as ‘You JUST have to swim front group, ride strong and run a sub 2.50 and you’re top 5′” said Tim recently on his Instagram feed. “[There are complications like] deciding on how to prevent my annoying swim cramps, how much to train before the fatigue inhibits performance gains, best taper strategy, best pacing strategy for 8hrs and change, how to replace my large fluid and sodium losses while keeping the osmolality viable of what’s going in, chasing positional aero gains without losing power, which front wheel to use to handle the crosswinds, choosing the most efficient apparel without compromising evaporative cooling…etc etc.”
All the hard training and well-thought-out strategy will be put to test in Kona, but one thing is assured: Tim will have his new Project One Kona edition Speed Concept dialed.
Tim's Kona Speed Concept is eady to take him to his best result in the IM World Championships. / ©koruptvision
Tim Reed’s 2019 Kona Speed Concept
Groupset: SRAM Red AXS 1x 52/10-28t
Wheelset: Bontrager 80mm prototype wheels decked out with R4 320 tubular tires. Tim will use the Aeolus XXX 6 TLR if the notorious wind is raging.
Saddle: Bontrager Hilo Pro Carbon Triathlon.
Watch the Global Triathlon Network video below for an in-depth look at Tim Reed’s Kona Speed Concept.
