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In November 2008, 1900 pre qualified athletes from over 70 countries descended upon Clearwater Beach in Florida for the 2008 World Triathlon Championships. Amongst them were 80 professional males including Adaptra's Resource Manager, Ryan O'Neill.
With the field stacked full of Olympian's, past and present world champions, Ryan was looking to place in the top 15 in one of his final outings in a race at this level.
Having previously qualified at the prestigious Singapore 70.3 race in October, finishing 12th in the 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run event, Ryan was requested to race for his country of birth, Great Britain.
With a live international web broadcast and live and recorded TV sports shows recording the race, the start line was electric. Helicopters hovered over head and the media tussled with the huge crowd as they all moved into position to watch some of the fittest athletes in the world go to battle.
An average swim for Ryan saw him 25th out of the water and on to the bike. Riding the first 20km with the pre race favourite, Oscar Galindez, the pace was fast and furious. As Galindez tried to chase down the lead group of 20 athletes, he was hurting all those riding with him as they sat on 50km on the flat roads! Eventually tiring of the relentless pace that the 1st chase group were setting, Ryan dropped back and settled into the 3rd pack.
Onto the run and the heat was really starting to punish those that set out too fast on the bike. Passing a few on the first lap, Ryan faded with around 8km to go, managing to hold on to 41st place.
Supported by Adaptra for the past two years, Ryan said "I would personally like to thank Adaptra and everyone else for all the support and encouragement leading into the race. It was a tough day over there and I couldn't have got there alone".
We at Adaptra wish Ryan the very best of luck for the remainder of the 2009 season.
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