Returning from some serious altitude training in Fort Romeu, TORQ Fuelled Ironman Joe Skipper was doing a bit of reconnaissance and gearing up for more challenges…

First up was the Staffordshire70.3 where Joe had a pretty good swim coming out of the water close to the lead group. Out on the bike for some technical and downhill riding lost a little time, but he went on to a good run, pushed hard throughout and gained enough to finish 4th.

Flying out to Nuremberg with Rob Lines from Tri-Anglia to do a recon of the Roth course, Joe encountered murky weather but liked what he saw of the course; a lot more undulating than expected and a reputation for being quick with no pot holes and a perfect road surface the whole way. A nice running course down along the canal where you can pick people off the whole way with no corners or anything to break your momentum. Using his training bike, after his first ride on the cycle course, it felt so good that a change in Joe’s racing bike set up is in order for race day.

Joe’s plan for the Galway70.3 was to just go for it on the bike and get into contention starting the run as well as pushing some decent numbers on the bike to get a good confidence booster heading into Challenge Roth. With a really good fast, slightly undulating bike leg, a flat 2 lap run course and because of the weather a shortened swim, Joe finished in an impressive 2nd place. Joe really hopes next year’s Galway70.3 it fits in with his schedule and recommends this race to any domestic athletes who are looking to make the step up to pro or who have recently started to race professionally – and he says there are loads of good cafes in Galway if you like good coffee and cake!

For more information on these events or to keep up with Joe’s training and racing visit:

http://joeskipper.co.uk/staffordshire-70-3-roth-recon-and-challenge-galway/