Groupset and accessories specialist SRAM has unveiled… ‘a global pro triathlon roster built to win championships and develop product, all in inspirational fashion.’ The company notes that its 2017 athlete line-up is headlined by current and former champions in men’s and women’s ITU/Olympic distance racing and IRONMAN World Championships.
Pro men
German Jan Frodeno confirmed his standing as the world’s top long-distance triathlete last year with victories that included an iron-distance record of 7:35:39, and in October in Kona a second straight victory at the IRONMAN World Championships. Alistair Brownlee of Great Britain in 2016 became the first triathlete to win consecutive Olympic gold medals with his victory in Rio to follow up his triumph in London in 2012. His brother, Jonathan Brownlee, who won silver in Rio, remains a top ITU athlete preparing for Tokyo 2020. Jake Birtwhistle, the 2015 U23 ITU World Champion, is another main threat for Tokyo. Other key contenders include German Andi Boecherer, who will look to build on his fifth place in Kona last year, as well as Australians Josh Amberger and Jake Montgomery.
Pro women
Three-time Kona champ Mirinda Carfrae of Australia headlines SRAM’s women’s roster. SRAM also suggests that triathlon fans watch also for top performances at the IM 70.3 and full IRONMAN distances from fellow Australians Annabel Luxford and Melissa Hauschildt. Caroline Steffen of Switzerland and American Sarah Haskins are other long-distance threats. Australian Ashleigh Gentle, Canadian Paula Findlay, and American Katie Zaferes represent SRAM in ITU or long-course events.
What they ride
SRAM notes that it ‘doesn’t simply provide sponsored athletes with cutting-edge gear, although that’s definitely a big part of how we work with our athletes.’ SRAM adds that its tech liaisons work closely with professional triathletes on setting up their bikes to not only help them get the most out of their efforts, but also to glean valuable product feedback from the fastest athletes in the world.
SRAM RED eTap is the foundational shifting technology for the company’s sponsored pros. SRAM notes that this improves bike aerodynamics while making shifting more efficient, smoother and more accessible than ever before. Shifting is achieved with SRAM eTap Clics, BlipGrips and Blips. These options provide the ability for each rider to set up shifting that’s best for him or her.
SRAM adds that eTap Blips provide the real advantage of enabling shifting from the basebar for instant access to gears while climbing out of the saddle or entering and exiting corners. SRAM athletes also are at the forefront of the emergence of disc brakes for road. This season, Caroline Steffen, Australian Jake Montgomery, Americans Ben Collins and Jordan Rapp will use disc-brake technology.
