Ironman road plea

Ironman WA organisers say they want to grow the event but they can’t until a Capel road is upgraded.

The City of Busselton will seek State Government funding to resurface Ludlow North Road in time for the 2014 event.

City chief executive Mike Archer told the Times the upgrade would allow more competitors to enter Ironman WA.

“Event entry numbers are currently capped due to the fact that the existing roads will only support a three-loop cycle leg,’ he said.

“Opening this up to a two-loop leg will enable more cyclists to participate.”

Mr Archer said full costing had not yet been undertaken but pending funding he hoped the upgrade would be completed by November next year.

More than 1900 participants registered for last year’s Ironman WA and general entry for the 2013 event sold out in a record five days in December.

Ironman Asia Pacific chief executive Geoff Meyer said changing the bike course from three laps to two would aid congestion and allow for more competitors.

He said there was sufficient demand for Ironman WA to reach 2500 competitors or more and this growth could gradually be achieved over time.

“In its current condition it (the road) is not in a state to be ridden on,” Mr Meyer said.

“We’re looking at having it resealed … but it won’t be in time for this year’s event. We’re hoping for maybe 2014.”

Race operations team race director Dave Richie said expanding the bike course was key to ensuring Ironman WA stayed in Busselton.

“Our greatest fear is if we can’t maximise the capacity we could lose the event, so we want everyone involved working together to keep it here and maintain the reputation,” he said.

Busselton faces competition from other WA locations, such as Mandurah, which hosted a successful half ironman for the first time last year, Mr Richie said.

“Expansion will be an expensive long drawn out process, but it will be worth it in the end.”