Docherty and Reed target richest race on ITU calendar

The ITU BG World Cup Triathlon circuit moves to Des Moines, Iowa this weekend with the running of the Hy-Vee World Cup, an event featuring the season’s richest prize purse of US$700,000.

Kiwis Bevan Docherty (Taupo) and Shane Reed (New Plymouth) are the only New Zealand representatives in the race, with others choosing to bypass the event after racing at the World Championships in Vancouver a fortnight ago.

Docherty is in good spirits and optimistic of a good showing on Monday morning New Zealand time.

“My preparation is going very well and things are on track especially with the great result a fortnight back in Vancouver (second at the World Champs). I'm looking forward to another good race in Des Moines but will not lose sight that it is still just another stepping stone towards Beijing.”

Docherty has a good record on the Des Moines course but will face new terrain this year due to recent bad weather that has left the region coping with flooding and organizers plotting a new course for the athletes.

“Since Vancouver I have been training at sea level in Wisconsin, with a spot of Tornado chasing on the side! Unfortunately due to the severe weather conditions here in the mid-west there have been a few course changes, however I'm sure the people of Des Moines will forget about the flooding for one day and put on a great race.”

Docherty is backing himself though to put on a good display, regardless of where he has to swim, bike and run.

“Having finished second in this race last year I will be looking forward to going one better, as I know I'm in the shape to pull it off.”

Reed has hardly been sighted on the international circuit since qualifying for Beijing, initially overcoming the hip and lower back injury suffered in the crash at Mooloolaba in March and then preferring to settle into his training for Beijing.

The New Plymouth athlete has been training at altitude in Boulder Colorado and will effectively race in Des Moines off the back of a heavy workload.

Conditions have been so severe in Iowa that organizers have not only changed the course but still have a duathlon event on stand by should water not recede or flooding return in the next few days.

The race has attracted a strong field, due in part to the prize money on offer but also with qualification for Beijing still teasing some athletes. Top of that list are Hunter Kemper and Andy Potts from America as both battle for the final spot on the American team for Beijing. Great Britain also has a full contingent including former World Champion Tim Don and up and coming sensation Alistair Brownlee.