The Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival has created another champion with 2019 senior triathlon winner Jye Spriggs going professional.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Following his success at the 2019 Julia Creek Dirt N Dust Festival, the Townsville 23-year-old has had an astounding year competing in triathlons in Queensland and New South Wales and recently obtaining his professional licence.
Spriggs competed at Australia's biggest triathlon at Noosa and placed second in the open category.
"I was super stoked with that result and it qualified me to get my professional licence and race professionally," Spriggs said.
"During the year I also won Saunders Beach triathlon, Mackay triathlon, Magnetic Island triathlon and competed in Townsville triathlon and my first half iron man."
Next on Spriggs' list is a half iron man event in Geelong, before returning to the Julia Creek Dirt N Dust Festival where he hopes to reclaim his title in 2020.
"This will be my second year at the festival," Spriggs said.
"I think I'll be a bit more competitive this year and hope to be competing as a pro by then.
"Last year was my first big win in a triathlon and it was the most challenging sprint distance I have ever done. The reason was because on the bike there was a 30k/h headwind straight into your face, so it was a real grind."
Spriggs said he was training harder leading up to 2020 Dirt N Dust.
"I have been putting in the hard yards in and I will continue in the coming months," he said.
"Swimming is my weakest leg so I joined a swim squad here in Townsville half way through the year and it has helped my swimming a lot. In terms of cycling and running I have a few fellas that I train with and we push each other to do better most days."
Spriggs said he encouraged triathlon competitors from the coast to travel west for the Festival.
"I tell everyone I know that it is a great event," he said.
"I tell them of my experience and I also advertise it on Facebook.
"It would be good to see a lot more people out there and grow the event some more."
The 2020 Julia Creek Dirt N Dust Festival is on April 17-19.
While you are here, subscribe to our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox at 6am every Friday.