Jake Birtwhistle headlines a fresh Australian triathlon team heading into the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
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Triathlon Australia on Friday unveiled its six-strong team on the Gold Coast, the first confirmed Games competitors to be named to represent Australia in April.
The Launceston 22-year-old was among automatic nominations that included Queenslander Ashleigh Gentle and New South Welshwoman Charlotte McShane.
They were joined at the annoucement by discretionary selections Queensland trio Luke Willian, Matt Hauser and Gillian Backhouse.
The triathletes will race for the first medals of the Games next year on April 5.
Amid a breakthrough year for Australia, Birtwhistle, Hauser, Gentle and McShane produced a barnstorming victory to win the world mixed teams relay gold medal in Hamburg.
Triathlon Australia performance director Justin Drew is excited about what leadership that Birtwhistle can bring to the new-look team.
“The men’s team features a young, fast trio led by Jake Birtwhistle, who although is only 22 has shown just how talented he is – Jake has an enormous future,” Drew said.
Birtwhistle has taken the triathlon world by storm with an outstanding season, relishing the sprint distance events, knowing he has a run leg that can match the best.
He remains unfazed by a field that could potentially see the Rio podium of England’s Brownlee brothers, Jonathan and Alistair, and South Africans Henri Schoeman and Richard Murray.
“I’m really looking forward to the Games – in fact, I can’t wait,” Birtwhistle said.