News & Racing

Barnaby Seizes Victory and Pro Series Lead at Ironman 70.3 Western Australia

Gregory Barnaby wins Ironman 70.3 Western Australia, overtaking Jamie Riddle on the run and seizing the Ironman Pro Series lead with a patient, strategic performance.

Shawn Smith

December 1, 2024 — 4.35pm. 6 min read

Gregory Barnaby taking the win at the 2024 Ironman 70.3 Western Australia Asia-Pacific Championship. Photo: Korupt Vision

The 2024 Ironman 70.3 Western Australia Asia-Pacific Championship delivered high stakes racing in Busselton, with crucial Ironman Pro Series points on the line in the penultimate race of the season. Pre-race attention centered on fifth-ranked Gregory Barnaby and sixth-ranked Kristian Høgenhaug, both eyeing the opportunity to overtake series leader Patrick Lange, who had concluded his season after Kona.

The morning brought challenging conditions to Geograph Bay, with overcast skies, 16°C (60°F) temperatures 9perfect in my mind though), and unexpected chop in the typically calm waters (better for the open water swimmers). A 13km/h wind from the west and 84% humidity suggested the traditionally fast Busselton course might not deliver the blistering times it's known for.

The professional field featured an intriguing mix of long-course specialists and short-course talent. Jake Birtwhistle entered as one of the pre-race favorites, fresh off a second-place finish at Ironman 70.3 Melbourne just weeks prior. South Africa's Jamie Riddle, another Paris Olympics contender, brought his short-course speed to only his third attempt at the 70.3 distance.

The flat, fast course attracted notable cycling powerhouses, including Robert Kallin, whose recent sub-4 hour bike split in Kona had turned heads. The presence of these strong cyclists, combined with the emergence of crosswinds on the exposed coastal sections, suggested the bike leg could prove decisive in breaking up the field.

What unfolded over the next few hours would see pre-race predictions upended, series standings dramatically altered and the emergence of a new champion in a performance that would reshape expectations heading into the season's final race at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Taupō.

Swim: Battle Through the Breaking Waves

With athletes immediately facing tactical decisions at the beach start, several athletes, including Mark Dubrick, opted for the far right side of the course, prioritising an early entry into their swimming rhythm despite a marginally longer line to the first turn buoy. Others chose the left side, gambling on a longer run through the shallows but potentially shorter overall swim distance.

The choppy conditions in Geograph Bay quickly transformed the swim into a test of open water skill as much as speed. Olympic-distance specialist Jamie Riddle emerged as an early aggressor, though his leadership of the pack proved anything but straightforward. In an unusual display of tactical swimming, Riddle repeatedly checked his position by rolling onto his back, sizing up the competition while maintaining contact with the front.

A lead group of five established itself by the first turn buoy, consisting of Riddle, Mark Dubrick, Kenji Nener, Gregory Barnaby, and Cameron Main. The washing machine-like conditions around the turn buoys created several lead changes within this group, with Riddle and Dubrick exchanging the front position multiple times.

The modified swim course, which took athletes under rather than around the historic Busselton Jetty, provided some shelter from the chop but also created technical challenges in navigation. The lead group maintained their advantage through this section, while behind them, pre-race favorite Jake Birtwhistle found himself isolated, unable to bridge to the leaders in the challenging conditions.

Mark Dubrick ultimately emerged first from the water in 25:55, showcasing why he's earned the nickname "The Shark." Kenji Nener followed just two seconds later in 25:57, with Riddle completing the top three in 25:58. Barnaby and Main rounded out the lead group, all within seconds of each other.

The time gaps to the chase group proved significant, with Birtwhistle exiting 47 seconds behind the leaders. This gap would prove crucial in shaping the early dynamics of the bike leg, as the lead group had established enough of an advantage to potentially work together on the bike while staying within the legal draft zones.

Through the first transition, the top three fastest splits belonged to Matt Burton (1:38), Scott Farrington (1:39), and Osoro (1:40), indicating the intensity of the race even in these early moments. The stage was set for an intriguing bike leg, with the question remaining whether the chase group could close the gap established during these challenging swim conditions.

Bike: Power Moves Shatter Course Record

The flat and fast Busselton bike course quickly became a tactical battleground, with the leading group from the swim setting a blistering pace from the outset. Robert Kallin emerged as a major force, demonstrating the cycling strength that delivered his sub-4 hour Kona bike split. The Swedish powerhouse orchestrated a significant tactical move that would prove decisive in shaping the race outcome.

The first major reshuffling came when Kallin bridged up to the front group, bringing Kristian Høgenhaug with him. Their arrival transformed the dynamics at the front, with the group of five expanding to include Riddle, Dubrick, Gregory Barnaby and Nick Thompson. The presence of these cycling powerhouses pushed the average speed well above 45 km/h on the pancake-flat roads.

A critical moment came when Kallin deliberately forced the pace, successfully dropping pre-race favorite Jake Birtwhistle, who had been attempting to bridge a 3:15 gap to the leaders. This tactical masterstroke effectively eliminated one of the strongest runners from contention, as Birtwhistle would never regain contact with the front group.

The lead group's cohesion was repeatedly tested through the five 180-degree turns on course, with the race ranger lights keeping athletes honest about maintaining legal distances. Høgenhaug showed his strength by making several surges, forcing continual reorganization within the group. The "accordion effect" of these moves particularly impacted those at the back, with Nick Thompson repeatedly having to fight to maintain contact.

Despite the flat profile, the wind began to play a factor as the athletes entered the Tuart Forest section. A 15 km/h westerly wind created challenging crosswind sections, leading to several splits and regroupings. Mark Dubrick and Gregory Barnaby demonstrated impressive resilience, fighting back into contention multiple times after being gapped.

The bike leg reached its finishing point when Kallin delivered a stunning 1:55:38 split, breaking the previous course record. Høgenhaug matched this pace with 1:56:33, while Thompson (1:56:10), Riddle (1:57:08), and Barnaby (1:57:10) all finished under the old course record. The intensity of the bike leg was reflected in the fact that all top six finishers, including Dubrick with his 1:57:35, broke the previous bike course record.

By the second transition, what had started as a tactical group ride had transformed into a war of attrition, with only six athletes remaining in serious contention. The stage was set for a dramatic run, with the question remaining whether the massive efforts on the bike would come back to haunt those who had pushed the pace.

Barnaby's Patience Pays Off in Championship Victory

The decisive battles of the Asia-Pacific Championship played out over Busselton's flat, two-lap run course along Geograph Bay. Jamie Riddle immediately seized control, surging to the front as athletes exited T2 and quickly establishing what appeared to be a commanding lead. The Olympic-distance specialist's aggressive start created a 15-second gap over Gregory Barnaby, with Mark Dubric sitting in third position.

Through the first 4 kilometers, Riddle maintained his lead with fluid running form and appeared in complete control. However, the first signs of vulnerability emerged around the 10-kilometer mark, as his facial expressions began betraying the effort. The weight of leading a major championship race seemed to compound with each passing kilometer, his earlier confidence giving way to visible distress.

Meanwhile, Barnaby demonstrated masterful pacing, initially content to let Riddle dictate terms while maintaining steady contact. By 14.5 kilometers, the Italian had methodically reeled in his prey, first drawing even with Riddle before decisively taking the lead with about 6 kilometers remaining. The pass marked a dramatic shift in momentum, with Barnaby looking increasingly comfortable while Riddle began to struggle with cramping.

Behind the lead duo, Dubric ran a tactically astute race in third position. Despite some early confusion in T2 that cost him valuable seconds, the American maintained his composure and steady pace. Robert Kallin, coming off his bike course record performance, surprised many by holding onto fourth place with solid running form, while pre-race favorite Jake Birtwhistle's attempted comeback fell short as he finished fifth.

The final kilometers saw Barnaby extend his advantage, eventually crossing the finish line in 3:37:35 for his first Ironman 70.3 victory. His perfectly executed negative split run of 1:12:29 highlighted the effectiveness of his patient race strategy. Riddle, despite his late-race struggles with cramping, held on for second place two minutes back, while Dubric secured the final podium position with a 1:14:17 run split.

The run course, while flat, proved deceptively challenging as temperatures rose and fatigue from the earlier bike battles set in. The numerous out-and-back sections added psychological complexity to the race, forcing athletes to constantly gauge their positions relative to their competitors. In the end, Barnaby's superior pacing and ability to maintain form when it mattered most earned him not only the Asia-Pacific Championship crown but also moved him into the lead of the Ironman Pro Series with one race remaining.