GB paratriathlon squad: the men

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

6^th, ITU World Champs

3^rd, ITU Paratriathlon Event, Strathclyde

5^th, European Champs 2^nd, 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

7^th.

GEORGE PEASGOOD

Category PT4

Age 20

Lives Loughborough

Career highlights

2015 National Champion

2014 3^rd, National Champs

2013 3^rd, ITU World Champs

2016 Season to date

12^th, ITU World Champ

13^th, ITU Paratriathlon Event, Besançon

5^th, European Champs

1^st, ITU Paratriathlon Event, Penrith

GEORGE’S MAIN RIVALS

Same as teammate David Hill’s… and David Hill.

OUR PREDICTION

5^th-7^th.

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.

Related

GB paratriathlon squad: the women

In pictures: GB paratriathletes in training ahead of Rio

GB paratri team grab gold, silver and two bronze at Worlds

GB paratri team announced for Rio Paralympics