The Mark Webber Challenge concluded earlier this week with participants facing wild and wintry weather on the final day of competition. Team Red Bull crossed the finish line in first place, followed closely by Team Keen in second and Team Driza-Bone Activ in third.

The 2XU High Performance Challenge Award went to Warren Nicholls from Team New Loan. In line with 2XU’s ‘Human Performance Multiplied’ ethos, the award recognized the individual that displayed a truly multiplied performance throughout the challenge and displayed courage and effort that truly went above and beyond what most people would believe to be humanly possible

As official event partner, high-performance athletic apparel brand 2XU supplied all participants with its market-leading Triathlon Shorts and Recovery Compression Socks to wear throughout the Challenge, ensuring everyone raced at their highest performance potential in the most versatile and balanced sporting apparel available.

For further information on the Mark Webber Challenge, visit www.markwebberchallenge.com

Round one of New Zealand's Contact Tri Series took place at Rotorua’s Blue Lake on Sunday, with a winning performance from up and coming young triathlete and 2XU ambassador, Ryan Sissons.

Sissons' weekend performance was the first victory for the current NZ U/23 Triathlon Champ. Geared up in 2XU's market-leading Super Elite Tri Suit, 20 year old Sissons swam strongly to exit the water in the main pack and held on bravely to defending series champion Stephen Sheldrake on the bike before running clear on the two lap circuit of Blue Lake.

“I was keen to see how the swim went today, it is something I have been working on for the past few months and when I came out in touch with the leaders, I knew I was in with a shot.

“The bike was good, I love the hills and this course has brutal hills. I wasn’t sure I would stay with Stephen but managed to do that, and I then knew I had some good running legs at the moment to win it.”

Complete results are posted at www.triathlon.org.nz

For further Tri NZ information contact:

Richard Sceats
Tri NZ Events Manager
021 723 287

Andrew Dewhurst
Tri NZ Media Manager
021 535 501

For further 2XU NZ information contact:
Robbie Johnston
021 495 464

2XU retail staff member & sponsored athlete, Shane Perkins, provided Australia with the perfect ending to this Melbourne round of track cycling's World Cup when he claimed the sprint gold medal on the weekend.

In the last event at the three-day meet, Perkins blitzed Frenchman Michael D'Almeida, the fastest qualifier, in two straight heats in the best-of-three final, stopping the clock at 10.7sec for the final 200m.

"I know I could have gone faster. I did a 10.1 in Manchester," Perkins said. When pressed if he could break the magical 10 second barrier, he added: "I've still got a lot of work ahead of me, but I'll never say never.

"I'm looking forward to racing against Robbie McEwen and Graeme Brown at the Revolution IV meet back in Melbourne next month before tackling the Christmas carnivals in Tasmania.

"It will be interesting to see how Robbie goes because he hasn't ridden the track for a while, while Brownie has a strong background in the discipline."

21-year-old Perkins works at 2XU's Burwood Rd, Hawthorn store in Melbourne and is son of Tokyo Olympian Daryl. He credits fatherhood and a new coach in Sean Eadie for the rapid improvement after missing Olympic selection for Beijing.

He and wife Kristine Bayley, herself a former national track cyclist and sister of dual Athens gold medallist Ryan, have a baby boy, Aidan, and Perkins credits his family for helping settle him.

His convincing win gave Australia five gold medals for the round to top the medal tally.

Australia also won silver on Saturday night in the women's teams pursuit and the 40km madison, while Kaarle McCulloch finished third in the 500m time-trial.

*Extracts taken from "Golden sprint at cup meet" by Peter Kogoy, as published in The Australian on November 24, 2008.

VIRTUAL RIDER HD, a high quality, professionally produced training DVD filmed in High Definition, is launching this week.

The new program allows you to feel like you're really out on the open road, without the usual price-tag of interactive software. Just nd hit play and Virtual Rider will bring the road cycling world straight to you.

Shot at true riders pace from a rider’s perspective (your on-screen buddies are even clad in the finest 2XU Cycling apparel), you can team up with your very own training partner who is always ready to ride, rain, hail or shine.

VIRTUAL RIDER HD will be waiting for you in your home anytime – day or night; no weather or extreme condition excuses to prevent you from getting out there. Whether you are on a wind trainer, a spin machine or an old school exercise bike, get set to get out there.

The first virtual ride on the market is Victoria’s glorious Mornington Peninsula. Featuring stunning coastline and magnificent farming land - all in all a sensational place to ride on a perfect blue-sky day.

It’s a work out you’ll look forward to time and time again. All the excitement of open air riding, any time you like!

VIRTUAL RIDER HD… Ride to Reality.

Only available through www.virtualriderhd.com
Contact: info@virtualriderhd.com
Christian Sergiacomi: 0400 221 653 Scott James: 0409 889 800

Are you on the 2XU mailing list?

Check out a snapshot of the first members newsletter which went out last week. Each month we're issuing a High Performance e-News bulletin direct to our members inboxes...chockers with special discounts, event tickets up for grabs and a regular photo comp too! Who wouldn't fancy a $100 gift voucher??

Simply email enews@2xu.com with your details and we'll add you immediately!

Just look at those amazing 2XU Tri Shorts!





Photos courtesy of John Dargue Photography

Participants of the Mark Webber Challenge commenced their five-day extreme campaign today, tackling the summit of Tasmania's Cradle Mountain and descending again before days end. Dressed in 2XU's market-leading high performance Triathlon Shorts, all competitors looked comfortable and more race ready than ever before.

As an official partner of the event, 2XU wanted to give participants the opportunity to multiply their performance as they mountain bike, kayak, trek, abseil and whitewater raft over approximately 250km of terrain during the week-long event.

Throughout its triathlon range, 2XU combines leading fabric with intelligent design and quality construction to deliver the most versatile and balanced performance product available. Each 2XU garment is a finely crafted product which brings together world-leading fabrics in one intricate, intelligent creation…the perfect Mark Webber Challenge companion!

The Mark Webber Challenge continues through to this Sunday November 23, and this year raises funds for the Save the Tasmanian Devil appeal and Leukaemia Foundation.

For more information on the Mark Webber Challenge, visit www.markwebberchallenge.com

Photos courtesy of John Dargue Photography.

Yep. That time of year again! It's time to start recruiting for your company's teams and embark on your training programs in preparation for the NISSAN/BRW Corporate Triathlon National Series 2009!

Entries for Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide teams open in 2 weeks, and Sydney and Gold Coast team entries will open in mid January allowing optimum preparation time before the events.

Most importantly, guaranteed entries are still available by ordering your team uniforms through 2XU(a preferred apparel supplier). So organise your Corporate Colours now to ensure your teams' place in the Series!

Order Deadlines
To secure your team entries, orders must be finalised with 2XU the following dates:

Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide: Friday 21st November, 2008
Sydney, Gold Coast: Friday 5th January, 2009

Contact 2XU via
(03) 9819 9700, www.2xu.com/customspec/ or email customspec@2xu.com.au

Companies ordering uniforms from 2XU in any race of the National Series will secure guaranteed entries for those teams*.

*Conditions apply. Refer to the following for more details: http://www.supersprint.com.au/events/nissan--brw-corporate-triathlon/team-uniforms.aspx

Triathlon history will be created in Tasmania next week, when 1400 students from the age of 7 through to 18 compete in the inaugural 2XU Tasmanian Schools Triathlon Challenge. Taking place at Bellerive Beach, Hobart on November 20 & 21, the event is set to surpass any other triathlon or multi-sport event ever held in Tasmania in regards to competitor numbers.

Race Director Kerry Stubbs could not be happier.

“The response has been overwhelming and it just goes to show that there is great interest in the sport of triathlon following the sports outstanding success at the Beijing Olympics."

The 2XU Tasmanian Schools Triathlon Challenge is the only officially sanctioned children’s triathlon in Tasmania and kids are responding accordingly.

With a strong body of premium sponsors such as 2XU on board, the event is placed to become one of the most highly anticipated on Tassie's annual sporting events calendar.

Triathlon Australia’s National Development Coach, Craig Redman said “The 2XU Tasmanian Schools Challenge allows for school aged children to participate in a fun, active and safe environment. Triathlon Australia fully supports this exciting program as it fits nicely into our state and national junior development pathway.”

The concept of the 2XU Tasmanian Schools Triathlon Challenge is based on a philosophy of promoting active and healthy lifestyle choices to students, providing a pathway for students to become engaged in physical activity and to provide students with an opportunity to undertake an achievable personal challenge.

The first 2XU Tasmanian Schools Triathlon Challenge in Hobart will be followed by a second event in Devonport in March 2009.

“In future years, we plan to further develop the concept to offer the 2XU Schools Triathlon Challenge more broadly across the state and to encourage all students to get active regardless of their fitness level, specifically targeting additional events in the North, North West, West Coast, East Coast and Circular Head regions,” Stubbs said.

Students will pay $5 to enter the event and for the entry fee they will get full medical/accident insurance through Triathlon Australia, a 2XU Silicon Swim Cap, backpack and finishers cap (all with the event logo), race numbers, sunscreen and a water bottle. Students will also get fruit and water once they finish the event.

For more information www.tritasschoolschallenge.com or contact
Kerry Stubbs on 0433 09 66 57 or kerry@t3events.com.au

2XU is delighted to be on board as the Swim Leg Sponsor of the JT Cycles Triathlon Series for Sumer 2008-2009. The forthcoming series marks the 20th anniversary for the annual metropolitan Adelaide event, which kicks-off on Sunday November 16 this year.

The JT Cycles Series comprises five triathlon days across the summer, with the final race taking place on February 22, 2009. Each event day offers three race categories to meet the varied athletic abilities of competitors; Mini (100m Swim/6.5k Cycle/1k Run), Tinman (300m Swim/13k Cycle/3k Run) and Challenge (750m Swim/19.5k Cycle/5kRun). Children, families and elite athletes are encouraged to get involved.

As the Swim Leg Sponsor of the series, 2XU’s market leading high performance apparel will feature as major event prize incentives…a sure bet to ensuring event sign-up for season 08-09 is greater than ever before!

2XU wishes all participants the best in their preparation for this well patronized South Australian event. Don’t forget to jump into 2XU apparel to ensure you’re more prepared and race-ready than ever before!

SERIES WINNERS
Points will be awarded to the top 5 Male & Female placegetters:
• Challenge – Open, Junior High Performance & 5yr age groups
• Tinman – 13-15yrs, 16-19 yrs & subsequent 10yr age groups
• Mini – 10-12 yrs & 13-15yrs.

Points – 5 points for 1st to 1 point for 5th. Competitors must compete in 4 races over the same distance to be eligible for series winners. An Award will be presented to Series winners at Race 5.

For more information on the JT Cycles Triathlon Series for Sumer 2008-2009, visit http://www.gattisports.com.au/.

2XU Custom Spec has jumped on board as a sponsor of the Nick Gates Classic, to be held in Townsville this Saturday November 8. The inaugural event is a fundraiser for the Nick Gates Foundation, and is set to feature some of the world’s top cyclists racing along The Strand from 10am.

Fifteen world and national cycling champions have already confirmed their appearance, including the likes of world cycling professionals Cadel Evans and Robbie McEwen. The champs will ride alongside Gates to raise money for his foundation which helps young cyclists in Northern Queensland achieve their cycling ambitions.

Nick Gates and his fellow team members will all wear high performance cycling apparel designed, made and donated by 2XU Custom Spec for this special charity event. The Gates team will also be fitted out in 2XU casual apparel for special appearances across the weekend.

Gates said he was looking forward to bringing his cycling mates to Townsville to race along the idyllic Strand course.

“Townsville has such a great cycling community, this race is the perfect opportunity for Townsville to come and meet some of their cycling heroes and also an opportunity for children to come and race along the same course as the professionals,” said Gates.

The Nick Gates Classic is the final race for cycling legend Nick Gates, who founded the Nick Gates Foundation in the lead up to his upcoming retirement to give back to the cycling community.

For more information on the Nick Gates Classic, visit www.nickgatesfoundation.com.au.

2XU’s sprint cycling sensation (& resident retail rep) Shane Perkins took silver for Australia at the Track Cycling World Cup following an electric evening performance which took place in Manchester, UK, on Saturday night.

Perkins delivered an exceptional challenge to Olympic silver medallist Jason Kenny (UK), who finished just ahead of him in race one. Race two was equally as competitive, with Kenny pronounced the winner after both cyclists crossed the line on their backs in a nail-biting dual. Both riders were unhurt save for a few friction burns from the track surface.

Perkins overcame Michael D’Alemida of US Creteil to reach the final against Kenny, but was just unable to beat the young Briton on his home track. He was philosophical about the second lap incident.

"I was coming up the straight," Perkins explained to Cyclingnews*, "both [of us] going for it, wrapped handlebars and we both came down. It’s all part of racing though. It happens," he said.

Shane is a proud 2XU Ambassador who regularly trains in 2XU’s world-leading cycle apparel. He champions the brand and its elite characteristics to the numerous customers he assists at 2XU’s Performance Centre in Hawthorn, Melbourne.

2XU congratulates ‘Perko’ on his much deserved Silver medal and wishes him well in preparing for the UCI Track World Cup meet in his home city of Melbourne later this month.

*See article: http://www.cyclingnews.com/track/2008/worldcup0809/manchester08/?id=results/manchester085

2XU is on board as an Official Partner of the iconic Mark Webber Challenge, which commences in Tasmania on Wednesday November 19 this year. The annual week-long, premium multi-sport event was established by the Mark Webber Challenge Foundation to raise funds for Australian charities. In 2008, money raised by the Mark Webber Challenge Foundation will be forwarded to the Save the Tasmanian Devil appeal and Leukaemia Foundation.

As Official Partner, 2XU will supply its market-leading Triathlon Shorts for all participants to wear throughout the challenge. Taking in approximately 250km of terrain, competitors will put them to great use; mountain biking, kayaking and trekking a daily course. Along the way, they will also be taken out of their comfort zones via other activities including abseiling and whitewater rafting.

Throughout its triathlon range, 2XU combines leading fabric with intelligent design and quality construction to deliver the most versatile and balanced performance product available. Each 2XU garment is a finely crafted product which brings together world-leading fabrics in one intricate, intelligent creation…the perfect Mark Webber Challenge companion!

2XU wishes all participants the best in their final fortnight of event preparation. Don’t forget to jump into 2XU apparel to ensure you’re more prepared and race-ready than ever before!

For more information on the Mark Webber Challenge, visit www.markwebberchallenge.com.