The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) has partnered with British Triathlon and event organiser Dorney Lake Events to provide a professional prize purse along with media and marketing support for the Dorney Triathlon. The event takes place on June 13th, at Dorney Lake, near Windsor, South East England.
The PTO will provide a £12,000 prize purse along with media and marketing support to showcase the event and its athletes to fans. PTO Professionals will also be able to earn points towards Collins Cup qualification in addition to possibly obtaining a captain’s pick by attracting the attention of Team Europe Captain, Chrissie Wellington, who will be in attendance on the day to observe any standout performances.
The professional race is a closed road event taking place within the scenic grounds of the Olympic venue and comprises of a 1.8km swim, a 60km, 12-lap fast and flat bike, and a 15km, 3-lap fast and flat run around the lake.
Charles Adamo, Executive Chairman of the PTO, said “Given the UK’s continuing restrictions on travel we are very grateful to find opportunities to support local and regional races, our national federations and our triathlon community.
“It is a tribute to the commitment of British Triathlon and race directors like James Shipley of Dorney Lake Events that they are able to host an event in these difficult times. It is an honour to be part of an event that not only puts on display the resilience of those committed to supporting our sport, but also gives our PTO Professionals in Europe the chance to race and earn points towards Collins Cup qualification.”
PTO Professionals currently on the start list include Lucy Charles-Barclay (PTO World Ranked #4). She said “It’s amazing the continued support the PTO is giving to local races. This massively reduces the risk of travel and gives me the opportunity to race in the UK in front of a home crowd which I love to do.
“PTO Professionals can also earn world ranking points and move up the standings with a good race in advance of The Collins Cup which is great. The multi-lap closed venue should also deliver some very special racing.”
Chrissie Wellington, Team Europe Captain for The Collins Cup, said “I am very excited to watch this race as well as spot any PTO Professionals who could make the grade as possible captain’s picks for Team Europe. There are so many great British and European athletes, it will be a tough decision.”
James Shipley, Race Director of Dorney Lake Events, said “It is such a privilege to be able to host a professional race and we thank the PTO for their support. The professional race will start after the age group race finishes; so the amateurs will have a great opportunity to see the PTO Professionals multiple times on this spectator friendly course. I’m sure we are guaranteed to see some very fast times.”
Andy Salmon, CEO of British Triathlon, added “British Triathlon welcomes PTO support of the Dorney Triathlon as a racing opportunity for professionals in the UK, with not just prize money, but also a qualification opportunity for The Collins Cup.
Dorney Lake has a long history of hosting events for age-groupers, and the addition of a prize purse by the PTO should attract a strong professional line-up. [This] also gives our amazing field of age group athletes the chance to see some of the best professionals in the sport race on the same course as them.”
www.protriathletes.org
www.dorneytriathlon.com
www.activetrainingworld.co.uk
