Duncan in shape to race for Australia

Fresh from surgery, Bunbury triathlete Matt Duncan is back in training and planning an assault on the Augusta Adventure Race in November.

The 22-year-old has a long history with the world’s biggest adventure race, having missed the event just once since 2007 and last year recording a third place finish behind New Zealand heavyweights Braden Currie and Dougal Allan.

“I had surgery in the middle of May for ITB friction syndrome, which is commonly known as runner’s knee, ” Duncan said.

“I’ve been back at it for about three weeks now and I’m feeling great and gradually getting closer to peak fitness.”

Duncan will need to be at his best for the gruelling 62km event – a run, ocean swim, kayak and mountain bike that ends with a 2.5km sprint to the finish.

With his recovery on track, Duncan has his eyes set on representing Australia against New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Trophy that runs as part of the Augusta Adventure Race.

Each country nominates three representatives — two male and one female — and the lowest cumulative team time decides the winner.

Duncan finished ahead of both of the Australian representatives in last year’s race and believes he is well-suited to carry the torch for his country this time around.

“In 2013 I finished ahead of the first Australian, Jarad Kohlar, by three or four minutes and he has a reputation for being one of the strongest adventure racers in the national series, ” Duncan said.

“I think my results prove that I am worthy of a spot and it would be great for a local boy to represent Australia in a local race.”

This year’s Australian team will be decided by online public vote.

“It will be tough for me to get selected because I’m a bit of an underdog and don’t have the reputation that some of the other guys have, ” Duncan said.

“That said my training is ahead of schedule so I will definitely be ready and it would be an honour to represent Australia and a dream come true if I do get picked.”

Click here to vote Duncan onto the Australian Team

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