Luke Bell To Be Coached By Matt Dixon

Published May 18, 2010 11:57AM

Australia’s Luke Bell has announced that he will be coached by Purple Patch Coaching and Matt Dixon.
The announcement comes two weeks after Bell failed to finish Ironman St. George on May 1.

With the addition of Bell, Dixon is quickly becoming one of the most prominent coaches in the sport. Prior to 2010, Dixon served as coach to Chris Lieto and Tyler Stewart. Within the last few months Dixon has added Linsey Corbin, Andrew Yoder, and now Bell.

Dixon is becoming known for a different coaching philosophy in which athletes must focus on resting just as much as they focus on training.

Luke Bell wants an Ironman Victory. It eats at him. Bell’s won multiple Ironman 70.3 races, had two top-10 finishes at Ironman Kona and four heartbreaking 2nd place Ironman finishes but no Ironman win. Luke hopes to change this scorecard with his new relationship with Matt Dixon of Purplepatch Fitness. Dixon will oversee Luke’s training, physiology and race preparation.

“I was ready for a change and a new direction,” said Bell. “Matt appealed to me because his approach was different than what I had been doing for the last couple of years. What I was doing wasn’t working. I know I can excel at Ironman racing and Matt’s techniques, philosophy and personality will help me get there. ”

A perennial podium finisher over the last ten years, Luke is one of Triathlon’s most respected athletes. Luke will be focusing on his Ironman Japan race in June and then will race a number of 70.3 races leading up to the 2010 Ironman World Championships in October. “I am motivated,” Bell commented. “I love this sport and I really want to put myself out there to realize my full potential. At 31, I am just reaching my peak and plan to race for a number of years.”

“Luke has talent and I am keen to work with Luke,” said Purplepatch Fitness owner Matt Dixon. “He loves the sport, and his attitude both on and off the course is consistent and positive. I want to give him the tools and confidence in racing. My challenge will be to do just that and mentally prepare him for the start of each race. I believe Luke has his best races ahead of him and look forward to helping him achieve his goals and performances.”

At Purplepatch Luke joins a team of professional athletes working including Tyler Stewart, Chris Lieto, Andrew Yoder, James Cotter, and Linsey Corbin.