Pete Jacobs Withdraws From Ironman Melbourne

The stellar Ironman Melbourne lineup has lost one of its main contenders.

The 2011 Ironman World Championships runner up and Ironman Champion, Pete Jacobs has regrettably pulled out of Ironman Asia Pacific Championships in Melbourne. The Australian has been preparing well for the race from his base in Sydney, Australia. However an injury to his lower back and hip has resulted in him being forced to make the decision. Jacobs has received medical advice to focus on recuperation rather than placing his body under the stress of continuing his build up for and racing in Melbourne on March 25.

“It saddens me to have to pull out of a race that I was so excited to compete in, but I have to take on board the advice of the experts I work with to ensure I am in the best possible condition for the long term and especially for Kona in October. I first noticed a niggle last month prior to Geelong. During that race I did not feel right and suffered what I thought was simple cramping in my lower back. I went on to defend my long course title the week following in Huskisson, despite not feeling 100%, however I have steadily faced more issues since. The injury involves some excessive tightening of the muscles around my right hip, which has lead to muscle imbalances and other issues that I need to sort out so I’ll focus on rebuilding my 2012 season and target a racing come back in June.” Jacobs stated.

The long course specialist will continue his season in Hawaii in June before building throughout the year racing selected 5150’s, 70.3’s and a single ironman race as the year progresses. “I’m looking at my schedule and talking things over with my management and coaching team at BPM-Sport in terms of a validation ironman prior to my assault on Kona in October. That remains my key goal as I target taking the next step on the podium in 2012. I am very grateful to my sponsors for showing wonderful support. This is a mere speed bump on the road for me and I’ll be in top form as the year progresses.” Always the optimist, Jacobs then added “I can look at this as a lucky break, which gives me the chance to build into 2012 with more patience. I’ve had injuries in the first half of the last two years and that has worked out well for me in Kona. I am now looking forward to my best ever northern hemisphere season of racing starting in June.”

Jacobs will still make an appearance at Ironman Asia Pacific in Melbourne in support of the event and his sponsors. He will also spend time with cycling legend Chris Boardman in Australia in April as they work on the development of Jacobs personal bike strength and position as well as the next generation of Boardman AiR TT bikes.