Trek's marquee triathlon program adds Helle Frederiksen
The new year is well upon us and the triathlon season is about to kick into full gear. Some athletes have already been competing (and winning) so the time has come to highlight the seven incredible members who make up the Trek Factory Racing triathlon team.
The team remains intact for 2019 with all six athletes returning for another season. Joining the team is Danish triathlete Helle Frederiksen, the reigning ITU Long Distance World Champion and winner of nine career 70.3 events. She is also the holder of the world’s fastest half-distance time: 3:55:50.
Stepping into the Trek Factory Racing setup this year is new and exciting for me," said Helle Frederiksen. "It is an opportunity that I am extremely grateful for. Standing alongside the other 6 world-class athletes on the team keeps us all accountable for achieving big results and flying the Trek Factory Racing flag with professionalism and the highest of commitment, both on and off the racing circuit.
Helle will tackle 2019 with the same tenacity as 2018
TFR welcomes SRAM as team partner
The team will continue to use Trek’s flagship aerodynamic bike, the Speed Concept, and beginning this year the bikes will be outfitted with SRAM etap AXS componentry. SRAM’s partnership has been highly anticipated by all and the team’s Speed Concepts are now equipped with the all-new cutting-edge 12-speed drive-chain and Quark power meters.
A perfect opportunity to showcase SRAM RED eTap AXS componentry on a world-class group of athletes, what's not to like?" Said Jason Phillips, SRAM Road Sports Marketing Director
Ben Kanute's bike, set up with the 1x option. Racers will have the option of going 2x, or 1x
"I've been riding the new SRAM AXS groupset since late January, and I've been super impressed,” said Helle Frederiksen. “It is smooth, hassle-free and clearly well engineered. I look forward to having the option of racing 1x or 2x in 2019."
Also new for 2019, the team’s Speed Concepts will match the color schemes of the other TFR disciplines, with the men on the brilliant red and the women all using the stunning blue stripes on white, bringing all Trek athletes – from mountain bike to road – under the same TFR umbrella.
The seven TFR professional athletes will compete around the globe in ITU Olympic distance, non-drafting Olympic distance, Half Ironman, and Full Ironman events – a balanced group of blossoming and experienced triathletes that is Trek Factory Racing.
Trek’s Sports Marketing director Tim Vanderjeugd,
Our triathlon program is arguably the most successful program in the Trek Factory Racing umbrella, raking up victories and podiums in all the different race formats from the start to the very end of the season. I'm proud of the balance of athletes on the team and very glad to welcome Helle Frederiksen as a full TFR rider. I believe we can expect another successful season from all our athletes!
Ben Kanute rides his new Speed Concept.
Meet the Team
Holly Lawrence
From: Great Britain
Age: 29
Residence: Santa Monica, California (USA)
Goals: “My focus for 2019 is to put together my best race at Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Nice and make the most of being back on the race circuit after a year of injury!”
Holly Lawrence ended 2018 and started 2019 with wins.
Tim Reed
From: Australia
Age: 34
Residence: Byron Bay, New South Wales (AUS)
Goals: “2019 will be another big year of travel and racing for me. My early goals for this year are to race Ironman New Zealand (Editor’s note: Reed was fifth) and Ironman Australia with the major ambition of winning Ironman Australia. From these two races, I’ll also decide whether I want to target the Ironman 70.3 World Championships or the Ironman World Championships. I’ll also be including eight or nine Ironman 70.3 events including Davao, Oceanside, Vietnam, Subic Bay, Coeur d’Alene, Santa Rosa, Cebu. I’m particularly excited to have my family with me for much more of the travel this year with us all heading to Boulder, CO for the warmer months.”
Tim Reed is all smiles after winning the 2018 Ironman 70.3 Sunshine Coast.
Tim O’Donnell
From: USA
Age: 38
Residence: Boulder, Colorado (USA)
Goals: “After last year’s 4th place finish at the IRONMAN World Championships, my goal for 2019 is to take the next step onto the podium. Better results don’t come without a plan. For 2019, I’m working on maximizing my efficiency on the bike with a new cycling training program and a faster, “narrower” position on my Speed Concept. I plan to place myself in the best position possible to run fast off the bike and of course make my goal a reality!”
Visor aficionado TO readies to race
Lauren Goss
From: USA
Age: 31
Residence: Boulder, Colorado (USA)
Goals: “2019 is all about the run for me. This season I am focusing on improving my run performance off the bike with an ultimate goal of placing top five at the World Championships.”
Lauren Goss is looking to improve her run and net more big results in 2019.
Ben Kanute
From: USA
Age: 26
Residence: Phoenix, Arizona (USA)
Goals: “My goals for 2019 are to better myself as an athlete and continue the progression I have had over the past couple of years. I aim to win big races like Oceanside 70.3, Escape from Alcatraz, and 70.3 Worlds and also qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.”
Ben Kanute is aiming for a big year.
Linsey Corbin
From: USA
Age: 38
Residence: Bend, Oregon (USA)
Goals: “It’s an honor to be lining up for my 8th season as a Trek professional athlete, and I am looking forward to a great 2019 season with the Trek Factory Racing triathlon team. Having already qualified for the 2019 Ironman World Championships, my season is wide open. This allows me a lot more freedom in picking my race schedule, and I will be putting all my eyes on another top finish at the World Championships in October.
“Early in the season, I am looking forward to returning to a few of my favorite 70.3 events as well as trying out a few new ones. Come September, I would love to defend my title at Ironman Wisconsin in Madison in front of Trek’s home-crowd. I am looking forward to working hard with some big goals in mind aboard my Trek Speed Concept.
“I am excited to see what myself and the rest of the team are going to bring to the race course in the season ahead!”
Trek is the best in the business and does an incredible job of providing the team with world-class treatment that you can't get anywhere else. From the top of the line equipment, a team of innovative and passionate individuals behind the products, and having the Trek Race Shop available for all of our racing and training needs - it really doesn't get any better than this!
- Linsey Corbin
Linsey Corbin winning IRONMAN Wisconsin.
Helle Frederiksen
From: Denmark
Age: 38
Residence: Silkeborg, Denmark
Goals: “My initial focus for 2019 is retaining my World Championship title at the ITU Long Distance World Championships. This year Worlds is in Pontevedra, Spain on May 4th. With the Championships taking place in May it requires some early season focus, and I’m currently committed to being in prime shape come May. From there I move my focus to the IRONMAN 70.3 European Championships, which is for the third time on home soil. My drive is to be crowned European Champion having taken second place on the previous two attempts!”
photo ©Honza Zak
