Win bodes well for Abu Dhabi's Van Berkel

Dubai: Jan Van Berkel of Abu Dhabi triathlon continued on his march towards Olympic 2012 qualification with a successful defence of his Uster title in Switzerland this week.

The victory over a wealth of elite athletes, including four-time Ironman winning Swiss Ronnie Schildknecht, by 0.5 seconds on the finish line, stands the Dutchman in good stead for the final ITU World Championship Series race in Budapest in a fortnight.

"Uster was the final preparation before perhaps my biggest race of the season. I've had a good year so far with some decent results. My solid performance of late has helped me get into the world ranking top 50, up from 150th at the start of the season."

"Although I have yet to reach my absolute peak, I'm quite happy with the result at Uster as this is one of the biggest short-distance races — it's a tremendous confidence boost for Hungary."

Van Berkel added, "I have my sights on Olympic qualification races next season, and I definitely intend to perform well at these type of events. However my main focus is on Budapest. With the presence of some of the best athletes in the world, I must be 100 per cent prepared. I'm also aiming to improve on my position in the world rankings, I know a strong finish is essential to my Olympic hopes."

Completing the 1500 metre swim, 40 kilometre cycle and 10 kilometre run in 1:54.4.4 was enough to ward off Schildknecht, who finished in 1:54.4.9. Stefan Riesen, also of Switzerland, came in third with 1:59.44.

Van Berkel's victory over Schildknecht avenged a runner-up finish by Abu Dhabi Triathlon's Swen Sundberg at last month's Ironman Zurich.