Andrew Yorke checks in

 

Taylor Reid: What happened last weekend in Yokohama that forced you to DNF? You didn’t have the swim you are capable of and had to do a lot of the work on the bike bridging to the lead pack. Did this have an effect on your day?

 

Andrew Yorke: The swim was going pretty well actually until the last turn (about 300m to go). I was connected to the back of the second group but got swamped and swum over by three guys in a row. That detached me and put me into the third group–just a part of racing. I had crashed riding over to the race and was unsure if I’d be able to run given the bruising in my hip. The bruising and tightness was what caused me to DNF. It wasn’t the effort on the bike, if anything I felt great coming off the bike and ready to roll a fast run.

 

TR: How did the race last weekend fit into the grand scheme of things and the Pan Am Games ?

 

AY: I’m still awaiting final selection from TriCan for Pan Am, but feel like I’ve made a strong case to represent our country at the games. This would’ve been an opportunity to lock down an auto-selection had I finished in the top 15, but obviously that didn’t happen. I’ve gotten back to some quality training now so feel like I’m still on track for a great race there.

 

TR: Prior to Yokahama, you had not raced since WTS Auckland on March 29. Why such a long break between races?

 

AY: I had raced three events in four weeks and needed to get back to some quality training. With the level of competition in the WTS and World Cups, it’s very hard to train through races so I felt like I was in need of a good block to set myself up for Yokohama and for events like Pan Ams, Rio Test and Chicago Grand Final later this summer.

 

TR: You had a breakthrough race at the Commonwealth Games where you were fourth. What did that mean to you and how has that influenced how you approach racing now?

 

AY: That race was huge for me. It validated my decision to come to Guelph and work with Craig Taylor that year and at the same time I proved to myself that I could compete in a major championship. With training, I just stuck with the program and tried not to change my approach to training and racing.

 

TR: Was there anything you changed significantly in your training and approach to training this year?

 

AY: The same principles from last year applied. Craig Taylor (my coach) and I have a principle where we don’t dig holes in training. That said, we increased the training load from the previous year and did add some strength work to the mix. By not finishing the year absolutely smashed, I was able to put together a really good base block in the fall and get ready for this season.

TR: Will you be training in Guelph for most of the year or heading over to Europe?

AY: For the first time since 2009 I won’t be heading to Europe this summer! With Pan Ams and Rio Test happening in the middle of summer I’ll be focusing on those two events.  At the end of the season I’ll be racing Edmonton and Chicago WTS, so will be making the most of my late summer North American tour.

TR: What’s up next and what is your main goal for this year?

AY: Right now I’m focusing on the big three: Pan Ams, Rio and Chicago. I’d love to podium at Pan Ams with it in my backyard. At the same time Rio and Chicago are going to be very important with Olympic selection coming up over the next year. I feel like I race my best from July onwards so the timing of these events is perfect for me!