Three-time Shepparton winner Australia's Rebekah Keat has been forced to withdraw from Challenge Shepparton on Sunday after tearing a calf muscle last weekend. Glamour couple Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS) and Radka Vodickova (CZE) have announced they will be taking their place on the start line in Shepparton, Australia after illness and mishap last weekend.
The injury has put an abrupt end to Keat's 2014 campaign; she will also miss the lucrative Challenge Bahrain race on December 6.
"I'm devastated, I was so excited about coming back," said Keat.
Kahlefeldt has been in great form over the half Iron-distance since returning to Australia in September. Finishing fourth at the Sunshine Coast and second at Port Macquarie.
But a disappointing end to his race in Mandurah last week after he flatted early on the bike leg has the dual Olympian fired up for a podium this weekend.
"That's racing and you have to cop it but I was up with the front group and felt I had the race in me to get on the podium," said Kahlefeldt.
"I'll definitely be fired up for Sunday," he added.
Kahlefeldt is up against some tough opposition, Tim Van Berkel returns to racing after his 7th place on debut in Kona. He will no doubt be soaring in confidence and be rested and ready to win his local derby.
Brisbane's Josh Amberger is another that will feature at the front of the race and had Kahlefeldt's measure at Port Macquarie edging out his more senior counterpart to win. Amberger finished second here last year and wants the top spot on the podium.
Victorian Leon Griffin is a half Iron-distance specialist and will be amongst the leaders and medals if he is at the top of his game.
Vodickova is a world class athlete and after a recent bout of illness has declared she is fully fit and keen to add another Australia Challenge title to her repertoire after winning Bateman's Bay earlier this year along with partner Kahlefeldt.
"I'm really happy that I can take part at Shepparton, I love racing and was disappointed not being able to race last weekend," said Vodickova.
 Radka Vodickova(Photo: Challenge Family; click to enlarge) |
"It will be great to be at Belinda's last pro race in Australia also. She is such a wonderful person and done so much for everyone and the sport."
Vodickova will go into the race as the favourite but there will be enormous support for the lady of the moment Belinda Granger in her last professional race in Australia.
Race organizers have a few surprises for Belinda to help make it a memorable one.
The professionals will race for a total prize purse of $35,000, a $10,000 increase from last year.
In all 1550 athletes will take part in the new look event at Challenge Shepparton.
The same Shepparton hospitality race with a brand new look course has been received with overwhelming approval from athletes, sponsors and supporters.
Challenge Shepparton, which is now based in the city centre and includes a 1.9km swim in the stunning Victoria Park Lake, a two-lap 90km bike course on flat and fast roads and a three-lap 21.1km run encompassing the lake and trail tracks.
Challenge Shepparton will be held on Sunday, November 16, 2014.
