Four-time iron-distance champion Stephen Bayliss is the latest big name to sign-up for Xterra England, which kick-off in Cranleigh, Surrey, on 30 August 2015.
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Top Brit racer Bayliss, who counts wins at Ironman UK and Challenge Vichy on his illustrious CV, has entered Xterra England as part of his double bid at both the Ironman World Champs in Hawaii and the Xterra Worlds in Maui.
As a four-time champion and 13-time podium finisher in long-course racing, Bayliss’ quality is undoubted, if relatively untested on the off-road circuit. His inclusion in the race offers a fascinating dynamic to what is already a strong pro men’s field, with Ruben Ruzafa (ESP), Conrad Stoltz (RSA), Ben Allen (AUS), Richard Stannard (GB), Asa Shaw (FRA/GB) and many more all signed-up.
On the news, Stephen Bayliss said: “I love going off-road, it reminds me of my childhood riding mountain bikes all the time. The race is very close to where I grew up and it’s a special kind of triathlon; a relaxed atmosphere and a different adventure.”
Bayliss has never competed on the Xterra circuit before, and his inclusion adds an element of the unknown to the race dynamic. This year Bayliss came second at the Lanzarote Nutri-Cross Triathlon and is a former Junior Cyclo Cross cyclist at GB level.
VACHERY AWAITS
The UK leg of the world off-road triathlon series will return to the Vachery Estate in Cranleigh, Surrey, on the Bank Holiday weekend 29/30 August 2015 for more muddy, off-road fun on the trails. Up for grabs will be prestigious National and European titles, a $25,000 prize purse and qualifying points for the historic 20th edition of the world championships held in Maui, Hawaii.
Age-group triathletes will have the opportunity to race on the same championship course with the pros and compete for prestigious amateur National and European titles, as well as 50 precious qualifying slots to Maui, Hawaii.
The championship distance is open to all triathletes and athletes of any ability and background and combines a 1.5km swim/30km bike/10km trail run on the Sunday. There is also a half-distance sprint race option and athletes can join together to tackle either triathlon as part of a relay team. Soon to be added and new for this year will be 10km and 22km trail runs on the Saturday and kids triathlons.
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