Seychelles triathlon has only gone and got itself a new pro ambassador in the shape of the experienced and talented Simon Brierley.

Simon is based in the UK and has elected to put his experience and speed behind a pro license and tackle the WTC circuit and will be supported by British wheel-builders, TU Wheels, amongst others.

We caught up with Simon to find out more about his career and the support he will be getting in his bid to race fast and long in 2015.

Hi Simon, great to catch up with you. You’ve got quite an amazing background in the sport having competed globally. Tell us if you can a bit about you and your experiences.

My first ever triathlon was back in 1990 in Zimbabwe, a local super sprint triathlon to raise some money for the Zimbabwean top Female Triathlete who had their bike and equipment stolen 2wks before Africa Championships. I came 4th in this event at a ripe age of 11, competing on my sisters sloping top tube racer. From there on there was no stopping me, with a Zimbabwean World Class mentor such as Paula Newby Fraser there was ambition to take this somewhere.

After many years of racing and winning many titles as a Junior in Zimbabwe and at Africa Champs, I got my first opportunity to go to World Champs ITU 1996 Cleveland Ohio after which I moved on to the UK and started my studies at college in Sports Science. Continued to race on the Junior circuit in the UK and also a few times over in France with the support of Piglet Sports Race Team (based in Teddington). I raced at Lausanne World Champs and also World Duathlon Champs Calais. I then took a bit more of a back seat on the Tri scene to gain qualifications and coaching experience, working my way up the BTF Coaching Qualifications and now having been a Coach Educator Tutor/Assessor for 5-6yrs

I have been running Paradise Triathlon Training www.paradisetri.co.uk for 3 years full time.

And this year you have taken up a WTC pro license. How excited are you to be racing pro this year and why did you take the plunge now?

Very excited, wish I had this opportunity 10yrs ago. I’ve done the easy bit in gaining the Pro Licence, now it’s to master the fine balance of training, family, work and also racing. Not social as this goes out the window when you eat/sleep/drink triathlons 24/7. 2014 was a fantastic year that I came through, with some great results and times and also challenges. I knew and know I’ve got a lot more to give if I just have that “kick up the arse” , that certain something to make you go the extra mile/effort/motivation/drive. I’m 36 now, I will be taking part in tri’s to my grave +90 Age Grouper, but I certainly know I’ve got a good 3-4 yrs to give it everything. As I said earlier it’s that mastering of balance, with me working for myself and in triathlons I certainly have that ability to be able to earn an income and train and race. Its not as though there is more hrs in the day to train but more the emphasis on the quality of those hours for that training.

Training has been going very well and certainly the figures have been stacking up well, not necessarily to go out there and be a challenger for the top spots in the sports but certainly give myself the best opportunity to achieve my best and be a great ambassador to the sport, country and sponsors in my training and performance. I have been focusing on my run training with Steve Gibbs (Norfolk elite runner) with my first big event this year recently at the Barcelona Marathon.

Which races will we see you competing at this year and whats the goal for 2015

My main A races will be Ironman Staffordshire 70.3, Ironman Bolton, Ironman Barcelona with a few more 70.3/Middles and local races

You’ve picked up sponsorship and support from TU Wheels, tell us a bit about them and the wheels?

I am so excited to have received Tu Wheels as a key sponsor to my 2015 season, not only are they high quality wheels but they are also UK hand built wheels. Tu crew have put a lot of time into the design of the wheels and they are forever building bespoke wheels for riders all across the UK. I have just received a pair of their aluminium 25mm training road wheels, great fast affordable aluminium wheels.

As for the full range of Carbon clincher/tubular race wheels with ceramic bearing hubs, my race wheels are in build phase at the moment and can’t wait to put them on my 2015 race bike. Follow me on Facebook Simon Brierley Tri Professional Athlete for promos.

A massive tank you to my sponsors for 2015

Tu Wheels http://tuwheels.co.uk
Zone3 http://www.racezone3.com
TORQ Nutrition http://www.torqfitness.co.uk
Bearing Boys http://www.bearingboys.co.uk
Streetlife Cycles http://streetlifecycles.co.uk
Race Force http://www.raceforce.co.uk
Paradise Tri http://paradisetri.co.uk
Pro Athlete Ambassador
Team Inspiration http://teaminspiration.org - Empowering adults and children facing adversity through triathlon and multisport

You’re representing Seychelles this year and it is a really exciting time for this little tri nation with Nick Baldwin and now you. What does triathlon mean to the Seychelles and have you noticed a growth or more interest now that two pros have come along at once?

I was selected back in 2010 for the Seychelles Cycling Team to ride at the Africa Champs in Rwandan, this was a great opportunity and honour. We launched the first Seychelles Triathlon in 2012 and had athletes from Reunion, Mauritius, South Africa and Seychelles taking part.

For the past 4 years I have been trying to put Seychelles on the Triathlon map, not just for the benefit of the few triathletes from Seychelles but for the opportunity to present a sport that brings out the best in people no matter what age,gender or ability. Sport is a crucial part to life and life skills, but it also keeps people fit and healthy and can bring some talented athletes to the international scene.

Unfortunately triathlon has not taken to Seychelles in the way that I would like it to, however I see a lot of potential for this small nation to get there. I recently returned from Seychelles 1/2 marathon end of February and after having a few meetings with various groups I still see the potential for Triathlons to be launched in Seychelles. Watch this space………..

Nick is most certainly stamped his mark on the International scene and he is a great ambassador to Triathlons and Seychelles, he is a talented young athlete and got many years ahead of him. We manage to catch up with each other every now and then at races or on chat and we are both excited about what the potential there is in Seychelles for Triathlon.