31st August 2025 marked a big day in the progress of Triathlon within the Gillingham Wheelers. Daisy Davies marked her professional debut in an Ironman branded race with a 6th place in Austria, whilst Innes Wright and Vince Hounsome took two of the podium places in the European Triathlon Age Group Championships in Istanbul.
Milborne Port’s Daisy Davies took to the start with 28 other professionals at the very popular, beautiful and competitive Ironman 70.3 Zell am See in Austria.
She came out of the 1900m lake swim with the lead pack and set off on the bike in second place. World number one, Kat Matthews took control on the 90km bike leg whilst Daisy got to the run leg in 6th place. A hot half marathon saw Daisy maintain her position and secure a very creditable 6th in her first 70.3.
Over in Istanbul, Donhead’s Innes Wright and Gillingham’s Vince Hounsome were selected for the British team in the 60-64 age group. The European Standard Distance Triathlon Championships promised a unique experience.
A 6:30 am start saw the triathletes enter the Bosphorus and swim 2.2km downstream by any route. Did you go for the longer route to try and find the faster water in the middle but then not turn early enough and miss the exit point, or take the more direct route and stay close to the banks?
The 40km bike course took the riders over the Bosphorus out of Asia to Europe, turning back at the very impressive Galatasary Stadium before then heading back over the bridge. All of this on closed motorway and trunk roads. What a treat! The final leg was a 3 lap undulating run on a road circuit making a total of 10km.
Innes took the risky route in the swim and came out of the water second, with Vince’s more directionally challenged swim taking 3 minutes more. Innes soon moved into the lead on the bike whilst Vince finished the bike in 5th spot. Innes extended his lead on the run, winning by an impressive 7 minutes, whilst Vince worked his way through the field to nab the final podium spot.
Old blokes and young women, the Wheelers are showing it really is a very inclusive sport for all.
