Billed as ‘the biggest closed road triathlon on the South Coast’ of England, the 2016 inaugural Brighton and Hove Triathlon has also been officially confirmed as ‘the first ever age group drafting race to take place next year.’
The closed road race gives the Event Director and serial triathlon organiser, John Lunt, the ability to announce the first ever age group sprint triathlon using the drafting format. Brighton and Hove seafront is blessed with wide roads, with 2 to 3 lanes in either direction.
As the organising team points out, ’This should see some fantastic age group racing over a very fast course.’
Drafting, or cycling in a group, is normally only an option for the elite level athletes at Euro or ITU level events. The drafting section will be under BTF/ITU rules. This event is one of the few UK races that has allowed drafting in 2016 and will see wheel to wheel action take place in a format that the seaside town has never experienced before.
Alongside the rare chance to draft on the bike, triathletes will also have the chance to swim 750m in the English Channel, before finishing the race with a 10K run along the beach hut lined promenade.
Race Director John Lunt said “By introducing drafting to age groupers, this will add a new dimension to their racing. We recommend that only experienced athletes take part in this drafting format and that novices elect to go in the normal non drafting waves.”
When asked about the implementation of drafting into the Brighton and Hove triathlon, Triathlon England said “This is a really exciting development for the sport and we’re pleased that the British Triathlon Federation can support such innovative events.”
John Lunt and his team are developing a number of interesting concepts into the Brighton event, which will also be released shortly.
www.brightonandhovetriathlon.com
