Maxxis grips onto Ironman triathlon fever

A year since the successful conclusion of the international sporting event IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon, over 500 athletes are said to be gearing for yet another edition of this prestigious event. One of them, a rally specialist who has shifted gears from horsepower to manpower.

Shafraz Junaid, a name in Sri Lankan rallying, will shift from his driving seat to the saddle on his tribe to take on the 90km cycling leg of mixed relay ream as he did last year, only this time, he will be riding on Maxxis, a tyre he knows best from the world of motorsports.

“In rally racing, I have learnt that it is not just our ability, but the right equipment also matters. Tyres are a major deciding factor. Although cycling was just an off-season cross training effort, I take comfort in using the right equipment. This year, I will be riding a custom tri-bike and I am grateful that Maxxis got me a special consignment of tires,” said Junaid. Junaid got into cycling as an activity to keep fit during the off-season for rally racing and decided to participate in the IRONMAN event last year. His team ended second runners-up in the mixed relay category.   

“Shafraz is a firm believer in choosing the correct tyre for the correct terrain and is a true brand ambassador for our products. We have supported him from gravel surfaces to the mountainous snow-capped surfaces of the Himalayas in his rallies. So, we thought of supporting him with tyres for his bicycle even though we haven’t explored this market in Sri Lanka,” said Tyre House Group Director Gayan Fonseka, agents for Maxxis in Sri Lanka.

The IRONMAN 70.3, also known as a half IRONMAN, is one of a series of long-distance triathlon races held around the world as part of a global franchise.  The ‘70.3’ refers to the total distance in miles (113.0km) covered in the race, consisting of a 1.2-mile (1.9km) swim, a 56-mile (90km) bike ride, and a 13.1-mile (21.1km) run. 

Each distance of the swim, bike, and run segments is half the distance of that segment in an IRONMAN Triathlon. The event over the years has gained popularity not just as a competition but among a wider segment of athletes who compete to overcome personal challenges.