Custom Columbia Threadneedle Specialized Amira

Jorgensen’s Unique Bike for Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds

Vitoria-Gasteiz Basque Country, Spain – Two-time ITU Triathlon World Champion and 2016 Rio Olympic Qualifier Gwen Jorgensen (USA) has unveiled her bespoke Specialized Amira ahead of the Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds (11-12 June 2016).

In conjunction with industry leader Specialized and Columbia Threadneedle Investments, title sponsor in Leeds and global partner of the ITU World Triathlon Series, Jorgensen’s team has worked for months to create an iconic bike which Jorgensen hopes will captivate fans and ensure a memorable race experience.

Jorgensen’s custom-painted Specialized Amira, a one-of-a-kind design, will be unveiled and ridden on the city centre course in front of thousands of spectators there to watch the world’s best triathletes.

Following the elite women’s race which starts at 13.06 on Sunday 12 June, the bike will be on display in Millennium Square for fans to take photos as the men’s race sweeps through Leeds from 15.45.

“I am very excited to showcase my new custom Amira at the Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds,” said Jorgensen. “I loved teaming up with my partners on this project. The bike is absolutely beautiful and I look forward to putting it up for charity auction later this year.  Columbia Threadneedle, Specialized, HED, and Shimano truly outdid themselves with this one. I cannot wait to see everyone's reaction to it!” 

The bike will feature HED Stinger 3 wheels, SRM cranks and a Shimano Di2 groupset. The Amira has been Jorgensen’s choice ride since 2012 because of its lightweight carbon frame, tapered head tube and responsive handling. Much like Jorgensen, this frame should be admired yet feared for its excellent performance capabilities.

Jorgensen added, “Columbia Threadneedle has been a tremendous asset to the World Triathlon Series and the event in Leeds promises to be one of the highlights of the season.”

Jorgensen takes the notion of giving back to her sport very seriously.  In 2014 she established the Gwen Jorgensen Scholarship and continues to seek out ways to partner with brands who share her vision.

Rupert Pybus, Global Head of Marketing, Columbia Threadneedle Investments said: “We are delighted that Gwen will be riding this special bike in what we hope will be a very special race for the world’s best triathletes, triathlon fans and the local community. Spectators will be able to see the bike in Millennium Square after the race.”

All photos are provided by Felix Sanchez Arrazola (twitter: @fotorunners)

Introducing my new Columbia Threadneedle Specialized Amira, lucky enough to have the roads of Vitoria-Gasteiz to break the bike in.

Vitoria-Gasteiz is my summer base, this is my fourth summer here. The training from my door is amazing.

The bike is accompanied with HED Stinger 3's with S-works all-round 2 26mm tubular tires

No question what brand of bike this is

I first switched to Shimano Di2 in 2014 and have not looked back since, I can always rely on the shifting to be crisp and precise.

I love the PC8, the display is so easy to read when I am suffering on the bike

I love the mission statement of Columbia Threadneedle here

I prefer to write my name in all lower case letters.

S-works SRM cranks, in Leeds I will be using 53-39 chainrings

HED and Specialized have each been my sponsor since 2012, I am very lucky to have the best equipment on race day

I race exclusively on 26mm tubulars, I am more confident in corners and believe the smoother ride keeps my body fresh for the run

I use a 155mm Oura saddle

Thank you to Columbia Threadneedle for your sponsorship of the WTS and myself.

Impossible not to smile when the roads are this good.

I love arriving to the Basque country at the end of spring, the countryside is so green

Thanks for viewing

Below is a slideshow of additional pictures of the bike in higher resolution (which may take a longer time to load). Photos thanks to Félix Sánchez Arrazola, Twitter: @fotorunners

Yokohama WTS 2016

When I arrive at a race, the work is already done and it all comes down to executing mentally on race day. I arrived in Yokohama fairly early. Usually I arrive three days prior to the event, but because of the 10 hour travel day, I arrived five days prior to the race. Japan is one of my favorite places to race and visit (one reason being the food: sushi, sweet potatoes, and bubble tea). 

On race day, as I walked my bike to transition, I went through my mental checklist. ASICS racing flats? √ Specialized Amira? √ SRM? √ Helmet? √ Oakley sunglasses? √. I racked my bike and checked my tires to make sure there was no debris or dirt or glass that could cause a potential flat. After that I checked the tire pressure. As I rotated the wheels, I checked the brakes to make sure they weren’t rubbing. Once everything looked good, I checked once more that I had everything I needed (at a previous race, I once almost forgot my ASICS and as I double checked everything, I realized in panic that I forgot my shoes!).

The swim was unique as it was a non wetsuit swim in choppy water. There was a strong current coming from the left that hit the shore and then pushed the water back to the right (making it appear like the current was pushing athletes from right to left). However, once I dove in, I felt a current from my left. It was extremely choppy, making it difficult to move up and break away on the swim. This caused a massive pack to exit the water together.

Once on the bike, a pack of 42 formed. When there is a big group, it is often hard to get everyone motivated to work. Yokohoma was a selection race for many nations, which also can create a slower bike. I was hoping for a hard bike--and my bike split was minutes faster than last year--but it still didn’t feel as difficult or fast as I would have anticipated.

I got off the bike and ran my own race. I am known to negative split (get faster as the race goes on). This time, I got off the bike and my legs felt fresh, so I ran my own pace and before I knew it, I had a lead. I tried to maintain pace, but began to slow on the last lap. Crossing the finish line in first was amazing. It was my fourth time winning in Yokohama. The fans were incredible in Yokohama. I don’t think there was any part of the run course that wasn’t lined with spectators. Thank you to all the volunteers and fans who made the race safe and fun.

I am now in Vitoria (Basque Region), where I will remain until the Rio Olympics. I couldn’t ask for better training grounds or training partners. The riding is beautiful and safe. Salburua, which is a trail less than one minute from my doorstep, is my favorite place in the world to run, and there are multiple world class pools to train at.

My next race will be in Leeds, United Kingdom, which is a new stop on the WTS circuit sponsored by Columbia Threadneedle.

Thank you to everyone for your support, help, and cheers. I had so much fun racing in Yokohama, which wouldn’t have been possible without my enormous support crew. A special thank you to Jamie, Patrick, and the Wollongong Wizards. I’m looking forward to the upcoming work as we head towards August 20th. 

Interviews pre race. Photo thanks to Delly Carr

ITU press conference. Photo thanks to Delly Carr

Taken right before my pre race ride on Friday. Photo thanks to Delly Carr

Pre race swim with the Gong Wizards. Photo thanks to Tommy Zaferes.  

Team USA! Photo thanks to Tommy Zaferes 

Bike pack mid race. Photo thanks to Delly Carr

The fans are amazing! Photo thanks to Delly Carr

Thank you fans for pushing us athletes to do our best. Photo thanks to Tommy Zaferes.  

Charlotte is one of my training partners who works so incredibly hard! Proud of her highest ever WTS finish!  

Patrick and me post race :) Photo thanks to Tommy Zaferes.  

Photo thanks to Delly Carr.  

I've signed something for Naomi for three years now, she's so kind and generous. Thanks for being a fan! 

Post race signing phones  

Pre race hotel dinner cooked by Patrick 👌 

Gold Coast WTS 2016

The streak. I can’t remember the last interview I did when I wasn’t asked about the streak. To be honest, I never knew what to say because the truth is I didn’t think about it. I always just looked forward to the next race and tried to execute on the day, which is what I did in Gold Coast.

Gold Coast was my first WTS of 2016. I don’t have a great track record of coming out strong in my first WTS of the year (I missed the front pack swim in Abu Dhabi in 2015; I was 12th in Auckland in 2014; I had a DNF in Auckland in 2013; I was 4th in Sydney in 2012 – this was an outstanding race at the time for me and also the first time I did a training stint with Jamie Turner – ; and I had a DNF in Madrid in 2011). I came into Gold Coast with confidence. I believed I had the ability to win, but I also knew that my competitors did too.

The Gold Coast race started and I was happy with my swim. The swim was extremely rough and I got pulled back and under water many times, but I was able to stay in contention with the front pack. We started the bike and I was under pressure. I fought hard, but when Flora Duffy, Helen Jenkins, and Andrea Hewitt attacked, I wasn’t able to match them. The bike course changed from 2015, making a huge difference. There were numerous power spikes on the bike course and it was technical with few straights to recover on. The three strongest riders were able to stay away on the tough bike course and come into transition with over a 90 second lead. My engine was there, but my tank felt like it was filled with diesel instead of high octane.

I started the run in fourth gear. It felt like I was giving it my all. I was tired, but I kept pushing forward. As the race went on, I didn’t appear to be closing the gap. I focused on increasing my cadence as I tried to push forward. On the final lap, I accelerated and I was able to bridge up to 2nd and 3rd place (Flora and Andrea). As the three of us came into transition, Andrea surged. I desperately tried to stay with Andrea and as we went down the blue carpet. I pushed as hard as I could and came across in 2nd behind Helen Jenkins. Helen was phenomenal. She was well prepared and executed her race. Congrats, Helen. (Fun fact: My only other silver at a WTS was my first ever podium at a WTS in London in 2011. Helen beat me that day as well.)

The streak was fun while it lasted, but it is now over. I appreciate the concerns and notes asking if I am okay. To be honest, I am doing great mentally and physically. Obviously every race I start I want to win. But so do my competitors. I gave it my all in Gold Coast and came across in 2nd place. In 2013, when I was third at Cape Town, I debated quitting the sport. I have no thoughts of quitting this time around. Maybe I have matured, maybe I love the sport too much, maybe I’m just excited to keep trying to improve, or maybe I realized the outcome isn't always the end. I can tell you one thing for sure: I’m motivated and excited to continue trying to improve.

I am now back in Wollongong for three weeks of training before heading to the Yokohama WTS. Thank you for all the support.

Photo thanks to Korupt Vision. This was the bike preview. 

This was at the swim preview. Photo thanks to Tommy Zaferes.

Photo thanks to Delly Carr. 

Photo thanks to Tommy Zaferes.

Sprinting down the blue carpet with Andrea Hewitt right behind. Photo thanks to Stef at Wtisup.com

Podium shot thanks to Delly Carr.