- Halksworth now focusing on cycling
- Two-time Ironman UK champion wants a place in Jersey 2015 cycling team
- Watch: Dan Halksworth profile
JERSEY’S two-time Ironman UK champion has turned his attention to competitive cycling … and now has his sights set firmly on Jersey 2015.
Already selected to represent the Island in triathlon at this summer’s biennial event, Dan Halksworth is now fully focused on making the NatWest Island Games cycling team.
After performing admirably at local events since committing to the sport at the end of last year, Velo Sport member Halksworth hopes he has done enough to catch the eye of Team Jersey selectors.
‘I’ve put my name down for triathlon, athletics and cycling at Jersey 2015, but I really want to be part of the cycling team,’ he said.
‘I’ve registered my interest quite late so it has been difficult to get my name down but Vélo Sport had a meeting on Monday and decided they want to put me forward for selection.
‘I’ve finished in the top three or four at most of the Island Games qualifiers and I’ve also been winning the time trials.’
The shift in focus is the latest development in what has already been an action-packed sporting career for the 29-year-old.
Originally an excellent swimmer, Halksworth turned his attention to triathlon following the 2006 Commonwealth Games before deciding to focus on the longer ironman discipline.
Although he says he’s not completely given up on racing ironman, for now at least, the Coventry University graduate is fully committed to life on two wheels.
‘I’m still swimming and running but my focus is definitely on my cycling. I won’t be doing any full ironman races this season but I’ve got three half ironmans planned and I might be doing others as well.
‘I’m taking a little break from the ironman stuff as I try to get back to enjoying my racing. With a 120 km cycle ride I feel I can race, which is what I love, and you can’t do that so much in ironman.’
Hoping to further himself as a cyclist, Halksworth travelled to his first UK-based road race at the weekend; the Paul Simon Homes 122 km race in Hertfordshire.
Commenting on the experience, he continued: ‘It was something I never thought I would be doing, but something I now wish I’d done sooner. Leading up to the race I couldn’t have been more nervous but, after the start, I made my way to the back of the pack as I couldn’t see a thing with all the spray.
‘Coming on to the seventh of nine laps I decided it was time to start racing and made a break to catch two guys who were attempting to bridge the gap to the leading two riders.
‘Unfortunately, after about 5 km of hard work I got a puncture and my race was over. It was good fun though, I learned a lot and I’m now looking forward to doing a two-stage race in Devon this weekend.’
