For the second year running, the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon is urging aspiring athletes with motivational stories to share their experiences for the chance to win a coveted place at the world's most glamorous triathlon.
In 2013 Tyler Butterfield finished in third place.
On the bike last year, Butterfield and four-time XTERRA World Champion Conrad Stoltz fought a post-swim deficit and battled to close a gap to the lead men’s group. Once they succeeded the pace remained fierce and uneven, with the men taking turns surging to the front to test one another’s cycling strength. The pack included triathlon superstars Fredrik Van Lierde, Eneko Llanos, Sylvain Sudrie, Fraser Cartmell, Paul Ambrose and David Dellow–a group that collectively owns nine world titles, multiple Ironman World Championship podium placings and numerous Ironman titles.
By the time the men reached the bike-to-run transition the powerful pace had splintered the lead group. Van Lierde started the run first with a slight advantage over Llanos and the two enjoyed a gap of two minutes to Butterfield. With all three men known for their foot speed, they continued their hard-driving efforts to maintain their podium positions, despite a threat to Butterfield’s hold on third place from Belgian Bart Aernouts, who neared to within 20 seconds of his rival.
"This is my best result so far in a field of this caliber,” said an elated Butterfield, following his finish. “I was pushing all day and really enjoyed the competitiveness of the bike with such a world-class group and the tactics that unfolded. I fell victim to the pace in the end, but I played the cards I had and I have no regrets about the day. I fought hard to hold onto third place!”
