Battle for the Olympics

Pauger takes a step forward in Australia

After starting his season with a third place at the Africa Cup in Maselspoort, South Africa, Leon Pauger only managed 57th place at the World Cup in Hong Kong. Things went much better for the 25-year-old army athlete on Saturday in Wollongong, Australia.

"This result feels like a step forward for me," explained Leon Pauger after finishing 21st in the Sprint World Cup in Wollongong, Australia, 2:03 minutes behind the victorious local hero Luke Willian. "The 80 points are good for the Olympic qualification, but it would have been even better if I had made it into the top 15."

"Not what I'm capable of"
Pauger got off to a good start in the competition. "My performance in the swim was okay, but unfortunately I missed the first group. After the transition didn't go well, I tried to recover on the bike and actually just rode with the group," said the 25-year-old from Bregenz. "The second transition went better and I also got into the running well. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to run to the finish what I feel I can do at the moment."

Off to China on Wednesday
The army athlete will be able to prove what he is really capable of next Monday, when a World Cup over the Olympic distance is scheduled in Chengdu (China). "This course should suit me better. What's more, I'm often much better in the second race after two races in a row," said Pauger, who is still training in Australia until Wednesday before heading to China.