Xterra off-road triathlon Allen guns for grandslam feat

CEBU, Philippines -  Two-time champion Ben Allen of Australia is highly optimistic on accomplishing a grandslam feat in the 2014 Vaseline Men Xterra Off-Road Triathlon Series set this Saturday in Liloan, Cebu. The event is the kick-off leg of Allen's Xterra World Championship Tour and he wants to start it right.

"I'm excited to start off  my Xterra World Championship Tour in one of  the best Xterra's on the circuit. This race has the whole package for me. I'm 100 percent ready to rock and roll on Saturday," said Allen. "I'm confident that I'm in top form heading into the challenging race."

Allen, who ruled the ITU Australian Cross Triathlon Championship a few weeks ago, shoot for an unprecented three-peat after topping the past two editions of the annual race. In his pursuit for glory, he is expected to face tough challenge from the likes of Daniel Hugo, last year's runner-up, Shahrom Abdullah of Malaysia, Michael Bucek of Slovakia, Charlie Epperson of Guam, and Bradley Weiss of South Africa.

Allen said he loves Cebu and the rest of the Pinoys that he looks forward to the race with so much excitement.

"I absolutely love this race. Cebu and the Filipino people have been so very kind to me and I would almost say this is my second home," said Allen.

Proof to that, Allen and his girlfriend Jacqui Slack, who is also a pro triathlete, came to the country  three times last year to take part in in the Xterra Philippines, the 5150 Triathlon in Subic, and the Ironman 70.3 Philippines in Lapu-Lapu City.

"Jacqui and I travelled to the Philippines three times last year to compete in three Sunrise Events, thanks to Alaska Milk’s Mr. Wilfred Steven Uytengsu for giving us the opportunity to achieve the three peat with Xterra, 5150 and 70.3. We both have been training extremely well and are ready for the challenges that the Xterra Philippines course is going to throw at us," he said.

Slack, for her part, hope to finally take home the crown after finishing second to Renata Bucher in 2012.

"My preparations have gone very well. I'm in top shape and ready to race," said Slack. "I'm looking forward to seeing how all the hard training has paid off  and performing in front of  all my Filipino friends." (FREEMAN)