Thomas Davis

Tom Davis may still be early in his triathlon journey, but he admits that in a way he has already surpassed his expectations.

“As cheesy as it sounds, racing pro, I never thought I’d be at that level, so I never underestimate each day I get to do what I love for a living,” he says.

So the decision to swap water polo for triathlon when he started studying at university has worked out pretty well so far for the Essex-born star.

A very busy 2019 for Davis brought plenty of success as he racked up podium finishes in Challenge Family events in Salou (Spain) and Anhui (China). He also claimed his second success at the Royal Windsor Triathlon (to add to his 2017 win).

Tom’s progression also caught the attention of the ERDINGER Alkoholfrei Team, who signed him up for the 2020 season. Davis repaid that faith with a super performance to finish second at IRONMAN 70.3 Gdynia in September 2020, beating two-time Kona winner Patrick Lange into third in the process.

As a youngster his hero was sprinter Usain Bolt, but he admits he never showed the same sort of explosive speed. Clearly though he doesn’t lack for stamina.

Swimming is his favourite discipline, which is no surprise given his aquatic background, while he is weakest on the bike having picked up cycling later in life.

Tom’s favourite training location is Mallorca but when closer to home he is often based in Loughborough and sometimes trains with Nikki Bartlett, Jodie Stimpson and Sophie Coldwell. As he is trained by Matt Bottrill, Davis also rides regularly with him and his athletes including Tim Don.

Unusual in that he doesn’t really listen to much music and doesn’t have a hype song, Tom though has no such aversion to food and plumps for pizza as his favourite cheat meal.

Driven by finding out where his limits are, Davis would love to inspire people to give triathlon a go while the best advice he has been given is “race smarter, not harder”.