As Jimmy Whelan transitions from professional cycling to triathlon with Olympic aspirations, FARSPORTS is proud to continue supporting this exceptional athlete on his journey.
The Remarkable Journey of Jimmy Whelan
If you're a cycling enthusiast, you've likely heard of Jimmy Whelan. The Australian cyclist's path to professional racing has been anything but conventional. Unlike many who progress through junior ranks, Jimmy was initially a runner who only switched to cycling in 2016. His meteoric rise in the sport saw him winning his first European bike race – the U23 Tour of Flanders – and signing with WorldTour team EF Education First just one week later.
Despite his undeniable talent and work ethic, Jimmy found himself without a professional contract two years ago after three seasons with EF. It was during this challenging period that we at FARSPORTS first connected with Jimmy.
A Partnership Born from Passion
We first learned about Jimmy through Tristan Take's compelling YouTube documentary. Through the video, we saw Jimmy's incredible strength and determination, particularly at the Australian National Championships where he delivered a standout performance despite having no professional contract.
With no team to provide equipment, Jimmy reached out to FARSPORTS about using our wheels for his races. After learning his story, we immediately recognized the opportunity to support such a dedicated athlete who embodied the values we cherish: resilience, determination, and excellence.
The partnership proved successful beyond our expectations. In 2023, Jimmy delivered a stellar season, highlighted by his victory in the queen stage of the Tour de Portugal while riding on FARSPORTS S3 wheels. His remarkable performances earned him a professional contract with Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team for the 2024 season.
A New Chapter: From Pro Cycling to Triathlon
At the end of the 2024 season, Jimmy announced his retirement from professional cycling to pursue a new goal in triathlon, with his sights set on the 2028 Olympics. We recently had the exclusive opportunity to sit down with Jimmy to discuss this exciting transition.
FARSPORTS: Hi Jimmy. You've recently announced your retirement from professional cycling. Can you tell us more about this decision?
Jimmy: Yes, I am retiring from Pro Cycling and chasing a new dream in professional triathlon.
Being a pro cyclist was an incredible experience. Traveling the world, racing the biggest races, and training with top athletes was priceless, and I am excited to bring the knowledge, passion, and physiology from my road cycling into a new endurance sport.
I started to reach a plateau in my road cycling career due to raising safety concerns following some serious crashes. As a result, I wanted to search for a new goal with my athletic ability, and I always thought I could be a top-level triathlete. My riding paired with my elite running ability is something that could result in world-class success, and there is only one way to find out - go all in and try.
FARSPORTS: What equipment are you using for your triathlon journey, and why did you choose it?
Jimmy: A cool thing about triathlon is that I am a self-employed athlete with the flexibility to choose my equipment and the team of brands. I had previously raced and won on FARSPORTS wheels in pro races and experienced how good they are. It was a priority of mine to ensure I could train and race on FARSPORTS wheels to ensure my performance on the bike is optimized.
Wheels are a critical equipment choice for triathletes, especially given the bike leg is the longest component of a triathlon. I am racing on the UFO Full Disc (1080 grams) paired with a front UFO 8 (80mm), and training on EVO S5 wheelset (1190 grams). I am fortunate to have the support from the team at FARSPORTS, and I hope I can win something big again with their wheels.
FARSPORTS: How is your current training going as you transition to triathlon?
Jimmy: My training is going quite well. I have had a 4-month introduction period into my new triathlon training. I have averaged 25-30 hours a week of training for the past 4 months without any serious health or injury issues.
I am seeing great improvements in my swimming times, which is very satisfying. I am excited to put all this work into my first pro half Ironman in two weeks (Geelong 70.3 - March 23rd). I hope to be able to run 67-68 minutes in the run leg (half marathon) and average 330 watts on the bike (90km ~ <2 hours).
FARSPORTS: Where can people follow your journey in triathlon?
Jimmy: My journey can be followed across my Strava, YouTube, and Instagram. I am super transparent with my training and insights into the new sport. I am really enjoying sharing my data, training volume, and life in general, with an attempt to show the dedication, challenges, and joys of this new lifestyle. It's not an easy process, but I hope it is something that can inspire a few people whilst I chase new goals.
Instagram: @jimmywhelan.jpg
Strava: @jimmywhelan
YouTube: @jimmywhelan
Our Continued Partnership
At FARSPORTS, we're incredibly proud to continue supporting Jimmy as he transitions to triathlon. His decision to choose our wheels for both training and competition speaks volumes about the quality and performance of our products.
Jimmy's story exemplifies what we value most: the pursuit of excellence, the courage to adapt, and the determination to chase dreams regardless of obstacles. His journey from elite runner to professional cyclist and now to triathlon demonstrates his exceptional versatility and dedication as an athlete.
Looking Forward
As Jimmy prepares for his first professional half Ironman in Geelong, we're excited to see him put our wheels to the test in a new competitive environment. His ambitious goal of competing in the 2028 Olympics is one we wholeheartedly support.
We encourage all cycling and triathlon enthusiasts to follow Jimmy's journey across his social media platforms. His transparency in sharing his training process, challenges, and victories offers valuable insights and inspiration for athletes of all levels.
From all of us at FARSPORTS, we wish Jimmy the very best in his triathlon career. We're honored to be part of his journey and look forward to celebrating his future successes
