Ireland’s first male triathlon representative at the Olympic Games, Gavin Noble is to step back from ITU racing this season as he pursues a career with Specialized Bicycles.
Gavin has been racing triathlons for over 15 years and has held Ulster and Irish Championship Titles over every distance from schools to senior level during that time.
On the international stage Gavin paved the way for Irish athletes and has an impressive list of results on his elite resume, including British Youth Champion, European Cup Winner, 7th in European Cup Standings, 2 x Commonwealth Games representative an Ironman 70,3 win in 2013 and 23rd in the London Olympics.
CEO of Triathlon Ireland, Chris Kitchen commented:
“Gavin has set the standard in ITU racing which the next generation of young triathletes are tasked with meeting. As a highly experienced athlete we hope to be able to utilise his expertise for benefit of the junior squad passing on his vast knowledge to the rising stars.
It is obviously very sad for us that Gavin has decided to withdraw from Elite ITU racing but fully respect his decision and expect to continue to see him racing at the highest level, albeit not in the ITU Elite Series events.
Triathlon Ireland would like to thank Gavin for his immense contribution to the sport whilst racing for Ireland and have no doubt he will continue to be a fantastic ambassador for the sport, not only in Ireland but around the world.
We wish him the best of luck with his future endeavours and this new chapter in his sporting career.”
See Gavin’s Update Below:
I have embarked on a new journey with Specialized Bicycles. It has been a hectic couple of months for me – the beginning of which took me by surprise.
As an athlete I am always conscious of providing value to my partner’s out-with the realms of the sports field. With Specialized for example I worked on www.iamspecialized.com in 2013, reporting race results, athlete journeys and successes. As part of the that role I became increasingly involved with the Sports Marketing department up to the point where I was asked to apply for a position after a trip to Morgan Hill, California.
At the time my mind was focussed on the 2014 season, the Commonwealth Games in particular and of course with a long term Rio plan. I had been proud of my London effort however I knew it was not my best – having been largely injured for the 12 months beforehand and unable to carry out run training.
I had a major operation as you know to address that and had been working with the Irish Institute of Sport throughout 2013 to put me in a position to progress to new heights in 2014. I relocated to Dublin, set up a great relationship with Swim Ireland’s Paul Donovan and lived and trained with my buddy Bryan Keane.
In terms of results in 2013 I enjoyed a break from the circuit, racing when I was fit enough to and taking my first win over the Ironman 70.3 distance in Austria. In the pool I was swimming faster than ever with the Irish team, had a great network of cyclists and runners in Dublin; and of course expert rehab and S&C at the institute. I showed I was in good shape at the Irish Team camp in Spain before Christmas but it was during that period when developments came about in California.
To cut a long story short – today I am proudly Global Sports Marketing Manager for Triathlon for Specialized – it was a big decision for me and I have to thank people like Anne O’Leary, Tommy Evans and Paul O’Donavan for their support and guidance. I also want to thank all those who supported me including Sport NI, the Irish Sport Council, the Institutes, my sponsors and Triathlon Ireland.
When you are an athlete you do wonder about the future and what it holds. We realise we cannot be full time athletes forever. In my instance I was presented with an opportunity to do something that I would love; to remain in a high performance environment and work for a brand that I love.
It was a difficult decision of course. My short term goals were very much athletic and I felt I had more to give. But sometimes you have to let your head rule your heart and grasp opportunity when it comes your way. I am lucky to be able to pursue another path on my own terms. I am not leaving sport because I had to; because I was not enjoying it; because I was injured; or because I was not supported anymore. I am not leaving the sport totally. I will just have less time for it.
With thanks to everyone who has supported me over the years. . I’ll see you at the races and out on the trail.
Gavin Noble was voted as Triathlon Ireland’s Athlete of the Year in 2012 –