Despite being identified by many as the ‘Dark Horse’ for a podium on the PTO Tour in 2023, a variety of factors prevented Fredric Funk from racing to his potential over the 100km distance last season.
This year, however, the PTO World #14 is determined to showcase his ability, especially after clinching a career best second place finish at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Lahti six months ago.
Speaking with TRI247, the 26-year-old also shared his plans for the season and revealed which three races in the T100 Tour he’s hoping to have big days at.
“It’s going to be a very long season”
To prepare for a demanding season, which runs from March all the way until November, Funk said he will skip the first T100 race in Miami in order to be at his best for the rest of the tour.
“My training over the last few months has been pretty good and I have had a really good buildup for the 2024 season. I’m actually still right in the middle of my build.
“I am just about to head off on my second training camp of the year, which will be six weeks in Girona and means I will miss the first T100 race in Miami.
“I just want to have a longer buildup to the first race, because it’s going to be a very long season all the way up to the end of November.”
“My race schedule is pretty simple”
Opting to miss out on a trip over to the Sunshine State, Funk will instead prepare for the rest of the tour, with the T100 events in London and Ibiza a key focus.
“My race schedule is pretty simple. I will skip Miami and then do all the other T100 events. My main focus will be on the European races in London and Ibiza.
“On top of that, the Grand Final will be another focus as there are more points on offer, which will be crucial for the end of the year ranking and the overall series.”
“I hope to get on the podium at one of the T100 races”
Looking back on his previous performances over the 100km distance, Funk thinks that his fifth place at the PTO Canadian Open in 2022 is much more indicative of his potential.
“My fifth place in Edmonton at the first PTO Open was definitely closer to reality than my last two PTO races last year, where I finished 19th and 13th, which were not good results for me.
“The fifth place shows more of what I’m actually capable of. It also shows, hopefully, that I don’t need too much work to actually close the gap to the front guys.”
This year, the German hopes to cement his status as one of the hottest prospects in the sport with a podium or better in a T100 race.
“I hope to get a podium at one of the T100 races this year, because I think I’m definitely able to do that if the race plays into my hands.
“If I can show a performance similar to my race at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship last season, then I think I am capable of a podium or maybe even better.”
