After finishing the 2011 triathlon and duathlon season with a two second places, Daniel Bailey has set his sights on a place in Team GB.
Bailey was runner-up at the World Long Distance Duathlon Championships in Switzerland last September.
He almost won the event, but a knee injury left him second – though the injury did not deter the youngster as he ran the last 5km in agony.
Despite picking up a series of injuries over Christmas, he took part in the USN Dorney Lake Evening Triathlon – finishing again in an impressive second place.
The event, compromising a 750m swim, a 20k bike ride and a 5k run, proved fast-paced for the 300 athletes.
Bailey started well, looking to push into fourth as he emerged from the water.
He followed this by recording the fastest bike time over six laps – coming in at just 29 minutes, giving a real chance of taking top spot.
This thrust Bailey into second place, retaining his spot to finish in 1hr 1min 17sec.
Bailey said: “I came up from the water in fourth and was nearly a minute behind the eventual winner, Oliver Bradford, so I knew it would be tough to make up the time.
“However, hopefully I have done enough to set the tone for the rest of the race calendar.
Bailey is now looking ahead to the Chichester Triathlon as he prepares to make the cut for the Team GB squad in the World Duathlon Championships in September.
“I really would like to make it into the Team GB squad by September, and get on my way to the Olympics in 2016 or the Commonwealth Games in 2014, but I definitely have my work cut out,” he said.
Meanwhile Bailey has been offered an endorsement deal by leading UK sportswear brand, Hexx.
The 20-year-old attracted the attention of the firm after applying for a place on the prestigious HexxTalent Endorsement Programme.
DAN BRETT
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