Kyle Jones and Tyler Mislawchuk Blast into Olympic Year with Top-10 Finishes at World Triathlon Series Opener in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI—Kyle Jones and Tyler Mislawchuk are on a mission over the next three World Triathlon Series races to punch their ticket to represent Canada at the 2016 Olympic Summer Games in Rio.

The veteran and rookie wasted no time in trying to complete the task, posting top-10 finishes as the season opening World Triathlon Series race in Abu Dhabi,

The 31-year-old Jones, of Oakville, Ont., posted the second best result of this career in ninth with a time of 1:47:44. Mislawchuk, 21, who hails from Oak Bluff, Man., matched his career-best finish in 10th at 1:47:47 throughout the two-lap 1.5-kilometre swim, along with the relatively flat 40-kilometre bike and 10-kilometre run course in hot conditions.

“I had a great few months of winter training to prepare for the 2016 season so I am very happy to start it off with a top-10 result,” said Jones, whose best finish is a sixth place at the 2012 World Championships. “Coming into the race, I was focused on a top-eight (Olympic qualifier) result. I came just short of that, but it shows the form is good, and I’m excited for what lies ahead this year.”

Jones was feeding off a strong ending to the 2015 season – one that was plagued with injuries and a string of bad luck. Determined to earn his second trip to the Olympic Games, Jones completed the season with two World Cup medals.

“The weather conditions today were very similar to what we can expect in Rio so to perform well in the heat is a good sign,” added Jones. “The course had multiple 180’s, and tight turns so it was important to be technically strong. That is something I’ve been working so I’m very happy with my progression.”

Canada’s Tyler Mislawchuk, finished on his teammate’s tail, after staying strong in the lead pack for the seven laps on the bike which included one lap around the Cornice, followed by six shorter loops of 4.5 kilometres as part of one large group of 60 men who thrilled the Abu Dhabi crowd pedaling on the downtown streets.

“It was a great race with some hot conditions,” said Mislawchuk. “I swam lead pack and was aggressive on the bike.  I was running in sixth at the five kilometre point, and ran out of steam with 2.5 km left.” 

Mislawchuk showed no fear while racing against the world’s elite in his second year on the WTS. The rising star was also 10th at the WTS stop in London last summer, and finished in the same position at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.

Calgary’s Russell Pennock finished in the middle of the field in 29th spot. The second year member on Canada’s national development team clocked a time of 1:49:17.

Spain’s Mario Mola began the 2016 season where he left off last year at the World Championships – on top of the podium. The Spaniard proved he remains one of the top dogs to beat on the Road to Rio, winning with a time of 1:46:39. South Africa’s Richard Murray was second at 1:46:54, while Portugal’s Joao Silva won the race for the bronze with a time of 1:47:08.

It was a tougher day for the two Canadian women who toed the start line for the season-opener. Quebec City’s Sarah-Anne Brault finished 29th at 1:59:28. Amelie Kretz, of Blainville, Que., crashed on the bike and later withdrew with leg cramps.

The World Triathlon Series resumes April 9 on Australia’s Gold Coast. Triathlon Canada will nominate its Olympic team of athletes following the Yokohama event May 15.

Triathlon Canada is the governing body for triathlon in the country. Recognized as an Olympic medal sport since 2000 and Paralympic medal sport as of 2016, Triathlon Canada’s mandate is to promote, foster, organize and develop the sport of triathlon, and its related disciplines, in Canada. For more information on Triathlon Canada, please visit us at http://www.triathloncanada.com on the Internet.

Complete Results (1.5-kilometre swim, 40 kilometre bike, 10 kilometre run): http://www.triathlon.org

Top-Five Men’s Results:

1. Mario Mola, ESP, 1:46:39; 2. Richard Murray, RSA, 1:46:54; 3. Joao Silva, POR, 1:47:08; 4. Fernando Alarza, ESP, 1:47:17; 5. Crisanto Grajales, MEX, 1:47:17.

Canadian Results:

9. Kyle Jones, Oakville, Ont., 1:47:44; 10. Tyler Mislawchuk, Oak Bluff, Man., 1:47:47; 29. Russell Pennock, Calgary, 1:49:17

Advertisement

Canada’s Kyle Jones Battles to Bronze at World Cup Triathlon Race in Turkey

ALANYA, Tur.—Kyle Jones is having a memorable finish to what has been a challenging season by capturing his second straight World Cup triathlon podium on Sunday. Jones battled through the high heat in Alanya, Turkey to win the bronze medal.

Building on the confidence gained from a silver-medal finish two weeks ago in Cozumel, Mexico, the 30-year-old Jones was steady throughout the 1.5-kilometre swim in the Mediterranean Sea, the 40-kilometre bike course and 10-kilometre run – posting a time of 1:45:27.

“I’m very happy with another World Cup podium finish today, and it is a great way to end the season,” said Jones. “I didn’t quite have the pop in my legs on the run in comparison to Cozumel so I relied more on strength today.

“We had a group of 12 early on in the run and I knew if I was patient guys would start to fall off the pace. There was a short hill on each of the four laps, and I decided to push a little more going up the third lap. I was able to create a gap with only a couple of others that followed. That move ultimately got me on the podium.”

It was the fourth career World Cup podium finish for Jones. He also has a gold and silver medal in two World Cup races in Edmonton.

It is a sweet ending to what has been a frustrating season for Jones who lives in Oakville, Ont. with his wife and young child.  The 2012 Olympian was sidelined for most of the year after a bike crash in the spring. Returning to compete on Canada’s Pan American Games squad down the street from where he grew up, Jones was dealt another blow when a pylon on the racecourse pierced his tire. He succumbed to racing in freezing cold weather at the World Triathlon Series race in Edmonton before fatigue got the best of him at the Grand Final in Chicago.

A string of bad luck that would question anyone to continue or just pack it in for the year, the veteran of the Canadian Triathlon Team was determined to put together a string of podium finishes to end the year, while not losing sight of his ultimate goal – earning his way back to the Olympics next summer.

“I knew I was capable of these performances despite all the setbacks. Through it all, I’ve always kept my head down and continued to move forward. To be able to go out and deliver feels great,” said Jones. “These last two results were important for me to improve my ranking, but more than anything, served as an opportunity to get back to racing at my potential. The confidence and the momentum that I gained over the last few weeks will carry me into next season.”

Jones shared the podium with Portugal’s Joao Pereira who set the golden standard at 1:45:10. Norway’s Kristian Blummenfelt finished 11 seconds off the lead pace in the silver-medal position with a time of 1:45:27.

Xavier Grenier-Talavera, of Vaudreuil, Que., rounded out his rookie season as a senior triathlete by finishing 44th at 1:49:16.

Triathlon Canada is the governing body for triathlon in the country. Recognized as an Olympic medal sport since 2000 and Paralympic medal sport as of 2016, Triathlon Canada’s mandate is to promote, foster, organize and develop the sport of triathlon, and its related disciplines, in Canada. For more information on Triathlon Canada, please visit us at http://www.triathloncanada.com on the Internet.

Complete ITU World Cup Results (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run): http://www.triathlon.org

Top-Five Men’s Results:

1.Joao Pereira, POR, 1:45:10; 2. Kristian Blummenfelt, NOR, 1:45:21; 3. Kyle Jones, Oakville, Ont., CAN, 1:45:27; 4. Nan Oliveras, ESP, 1:45:31; 5. Gonzalo Raul Tellechea, ARG, 1:49:16

Other Canadian Results:

44. Xavier Grenier-Talavera, Vaudreuil, Que., 1:49:16

Canada’s Kyle Jones Celebrates World Cup Triathlon Silver in Mexico

COZUMEL, Mex.—Kyle Jones put a silver lining around a very difficult 2015 season with a second-place finish at the Triathlon World Cup in Cozumel, Mexico on Sunday.

Jones, 30, has battled injuries and a series of bad luck throughout the year. The 2012 Olympian got some sweet redemption in his final race of the season after clocking a silver-medal time of 55 minutes 14 seconds in the sprint distance format.

“I’m very happy with the result today,” said Jones of his third career World Cup medal. “I knew I was capable of a performance like that, and to go out and deliver it felt great. I’ve had some setbacks this year but through it all I’ve always kept my head down and continued to move forward.

The Oakville, Ont. resident was solid throughout the 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike and five-kilometre run course.

“I was very happy with my swim. I was right up there with the leaders in the beginning so I didn’t have to chase down on the bike,” said Jones. “I fell back a little bit in the pack and so came into transition down a little bit. On the first lap I had to make up quite a bit of ground, but tried to stay as cool as I could because I knew I would need it on the second lap. But I felt strong and put a surge in with about 800 metres to go it paid off.

“This result is a great confidence booster and will also give my ranking, which took a big bit through the injuries, a nice boost.”

Richard Murray, of South Africa, who placed third at the recent World Triathlon Grand Final won the race with a time of 55:03. Hungary’s Gabor Faldum rounded out the men’s podium in third with a time of 55:15.

Alexander Hinton, of Kingston, Ont., was the only other Canadian male to start in Mexico and finished 64th at 58:24.

Triathlon Canada is the governing body for triathlon in the country. Recognized as an Olympic medal sport since 2000 and Paralympic medal sport as of 2016, Triathlon Canada’s mandate is to promote, foster, organize and develop the sport of triathlon, and its related disciplines, in Canada. For more information on Triathlon Canada, please visit us at http://www.triathloncanada.com on the Internet.

Complete ITU World Cup Results (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run): http://www.triathlon.org

Top-Five Men’s Results:

1.Richard Murray, RSA, 55:03; 2. Kyle Jones, Oakville, Ont., 55:14; 3. Gabor Faldum, HUN, 55:15; 4. Jonathan Zipf, GER, 55:17; 5. Jelle Geens, BEL, 55:18

Other Canadian Results:

64. Alexander Hinton, Kingston, Ont., 58:24

Jones Tops Canadian Rio Reconnaissance

Kyle Jones and Kirsten Sweetland led the Canadian contingent at today’s Olympic test event, finishing 18th and 22nd respectively.

Kyle Jones, of Oakville, Ont., led the Canadian men with an 18th-place finish. Jones (1:50:28) finished just a few spots ahead of countryman Andrew Yorke (1:50:50). Tyler Mislawchuk, of Oak Bluff, Man., placed 34th at 1:51:53.

“It’s a great course. Very challenging from the get go. Between the choppy waters of Copacabana, a couple substantial climbs on the bike and the heat and humidity out on the run, it’s very demanding.

I’m proud of the way I raced today. To make my return at the most competitive race of the year and finish inside the top 20 is very encouraging for me. I still think I have more in me and I’m excited to get back to work and make those gains.

The next step is to get back into the top 12 and ultimately the top 8. I’d love to solidify my Olympic spot this year in Chicago. I still need to be patient but a lot can happen in 6 weeks so we’ll see how close we can get.”

Javier Gomez earned Spain a spot on the Olympic start list after winning the men’s race with a time of 1:48:36. Vincent Luis, of France, was second at 1:48:40, while South Africa’s Richard Murray held on for the bronze medal with a time of 1:49:01. Defending Olympic champ Alistair Brownlee faded during the run to finish 10th.

ITU Rio 2015 – Olympic Test Event

Jones leads crew into Rio

From: Triathlon Magazine Canada – http://triathlonmagazine.ca/uncategorized/jones-leads-crew-into-rio/

This weekend the world’s top ITU athletes are in South America for … take a deep breath if you’re reading this out loud … the 2015 Rio de Janeiro ITU World Olympic Qualification Event, and if anyone deserves a bit of luck heading into Sunday’s race, it’s Kyle Jones.

Jones is just one of the three men who will be representing Canada in this stacked field – he’s joined by fellow Pan Am Games competitors Andrew Yorke and Tyler Mislawchuk.

On the women’s side of things Canada will be represented by Paula Findlay, Sarah-Anne Brault and Kirsten Sweetland, who has back after dealing with a parasite for the last few months.

Technical Bike Course

Based on his season so far, it would be great if the biking gods would give Jones a bit of a break on Sunday on what is likely to be a challenging, tough and technical bike course. The 30-year-old from Welland suffered a bike crash during a world cup event in March, breaking his tail bone. Then, at the Pan Am Games an athlete knocked a cone into his front wheel, puncturing his tire and damaging his fork and headset, putting him out of the race. All this as he comes back from surgery last fall.

A great race in Rio, though, would put all that frustration behind him. Jones represented Canada at the Olympics in 2012 and would dearly love to get to Rio next summer.

A top result in Rio will net Canada a guaranteed spot in Rio (the top three finishers earn their country a spot), while a top-eight finish would also serve as a qualification standard for the Canadian team.

All of which will be a challenge for Jones, Yorke and Mislawchuk considering the stacked field that includes pretty much all the top ITU contenders except Olympic bronze medalist Jonathan Brownlee.

Kyle Jones vying for his first Pan Am medal in the triathlon

Video: http://www.chch.com/kyle-jones-vying-for-his-first-pan-am-medal-in-the-triathlon/

On Sunday, July 12th, Kyle Jones will be vying for his first Pan Am medal in the triathlon. He’s finished fourth in last two Pan Am games in 2011 and 2007, and he’s the reigning national champion. Natalie Marconi caught up with him today as he trained near his home in Welland.

The picturesque countryside that surrounds Kyle Jones’s home in Welland, provides the perfect triathlon training grounds. He’s been a junior Canadian champion, a CIS champion, and a three-time national champion. He has traveled all over the globe winning at least half a dozen other competitions, and while he’s come-up just short in the last two Pan Am games, he has the home advantage this time. “I’d like to seize this opportunity for the third time is a charm…hopefully stand on the podium and hopefully that top step.

At the age of thirty, Jones says he has both the skill and experience to rank among the top competitors at the Pan Am games in Toronto. The forty kilometre road cycling course, and ten kilometre run are what Jones says he usually excels-in. But he hopes to fare just as well in the 15-hundred meter Lake Ontario swim that leads the race.

The men’s triathlon takes place Sunday July 12th, at 8:30 am, in and around Ontario Place, familiar territory for an athlete who grew-up in Oakville.

“We spend so much of the year travelling to different countries, so to have the opportunity to have something so close, and to have…everyone who has supported me. It will definitely make it a unique opportunity, something special.”

Jones aiming for triumphant return in Pan Am Games triathlon

Article: Jones aiming for triumphant return in Pan Am Games triathlon.

CP24 Breakfast interview

Video: http://www.cp24.com/video?clipId=641354&binId=1.1127680&playlistPageNum=1

Olympians to lead triathlon team at Pan Am Games

Six competitors have been selected to swim, bike and run throughout the Ontario Place West Channel at the Pan Am Games. Triathlon Canada’s picks include longtime national team members and newcomers to race in July.

The women’s team will be led by London 2012 Olympian Paula Findlay. She first became a national team member in 2006, competing in the World Junior Championship. Since then Findlay has built a resume of impressive performances, including becoming the first Canadian to win a World Triathlon Series event in 2010, something she has done five times.

Also in the mix for the women’s team are Joanna Brown and Ellen Pennock. Brown has been a junior triathlon star and Pennock has a World Cup silver to her name.

Team Canada at TO2015 athletes list 

The men’s side will look to impress with three strong performers. Olympian Kyle Jones will be out to win his first Pan Am medal on home soil after finishing fourth at Rio 2007 and Guadalajara 2011. After being named a London 2012 alternate, Andrew York placed fourth at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last year in a highly competitive field. Tyler Mislawchuk, the newest addition to the national team was the top performer this year placing 10^th at the World Triathlon Series.

“I’m excited to have this opportunity to step up onto the podium and claim a medal. To have this opportunity at a home Games makes it that much more special. Having family, friends and people that have supported me through my entire career on the sidelines watching will be a unique experience that I look forward to.” Said Jones.

Triathlon will take place on the West Channel, one of five venues included in Pan AM Park. The women will compete on July 11 followed by the men on July 12. (Get tickets)

By Camille Wallace

Inspire

Very excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Health Network video series “Inspire” that will feature amazing stories of Canadian athletes and follow my Road to Rio.

Please follow along at Inspire. We hope you enjoy the videos.