Ben is back, bids for historic 5th title

Australian pro Ben Allen is covered with mud as he heads out of the bike course in last year’s XTERRA World Championships in Hawaii. (Contributed Photo)

Australian pro Ben Allen will return on island as he eyes an unprecedented fifth men’s divisions crown in next month’s 2016 XTERRA Saipan Championship.

“I am excited to be back on Saipan,” said Allen in a message sent to Saipan Tribune last Wednesday.

Allen ruled the XTERRA Crown Jewel for four straight years (2012 to 2015) before missing last year’s competition due to budgetary constraints.

“I think I’m tied with Olivier Marceau for the most wins and I’d love to be able to claim that fifth title and surpass the legend. Five XTERRA Crown Jewel titles sounds nice,” the third placer in last year’s XTERRA World Championship said.

Marceau topped XTERRA Saipan from 2004 to 2007, while other winners of the off-road triathlon race includes the United Kingdom’s Sam Gardner (2009 to 2011), Canada’s Mike Vine (2002), Australia’s Jason Chalker (2003), Andrew Noble (2008), and Brodie Gardner (2016).

Gardner will also be returning to the island to defend his crown in the March 18 event and his presence along with other XTERRA Saipan veterans Takahiro Ogasawara of Japan, Markus Benesch of Austria, Aleksandr Dorovskikh of Russia, Will Kelsay of the U.S, Joe Miller of the Philippines, and Bradley Weiss of South Africa, will make the competition interesting.

“I’m not one to get ahead of myself, having last year’s winner and XTERRA champion Bradley Weiss whom I’ve had some epic and memorable battles with, for next month’s race. I’ll have my hands full,” said Allen, who holds the course record in the 1.5-kilometer swim, 30K bike, and 12K trail run with his 2:31:05 posted in 2012.

Besides battling the most number of pros since he first joined the race six years ago, what makes this year’s event even more challenging to the four-time champion is the reputation of XTERRA Saipan’s course.

“’It’s up there as one of the toughest on the planet. The climb up to Mt Tapochau is brutal, but as a reward for my effort I always try and reward myself with a quick glimpse of the amazing view before knuckling back down and focusing on the job at hand,” the Aussie triathlete said.

Once back on island, Allen added he will take every opportunity to enjoy Saipan’s lifestyle.

“Each and every time I return I can’t wait to indulge into the island lifestyle, sit back, relax, and enjoy everything XTERRA Saipan has to offer,” the 32-year-old pro said.

Meanwhile, besides Allen and other returnees, Japanese Yuichi Hosoda and Akihiko Maeda and Austrian Dominik Wychera have also signed up for the men’s pro division contest. Registration is ongoing and can be made online through xterrasaipan.org or https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=89344.

XTERRA Saipan is the first stop of the XTERRA Asia-Pacific Tour. The next is XTERRA La Union in the Philippines on March 26, followed by XTERRA Thailand (April 1), XTERRA New Zealand (April 8), XTERRA Cebu, Philippines (April 23), XTERRA Malaysia (April 29), XTERRA Tahiti (May 6), XTERRA Korea (Aug. 26), and XTERRA Japan (Sept. 3). Pros will earn points from each stop and at the end of the races, prize money will be awarded to winners.