JESSE Featonby has described his switch from triathlon to cycling as the best decision of his career.
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Only days after securing a 12-month contract with Drapac Cycling, the 28-year-old admits he should have made the move earlier.
“I have no regrets, but I wish I’d seen this a bit earlier,” Featonby said.
“I got to race at world championship level and I thought I got close to Commonwealth Games selection.
“I thought I was on track for Rio as well.
“But then I think of all the days I spent swimming where I just hated it.
“I would sit on the side of the pool just not wanting to jump in.
“I could jump on a bike all day, every day and just love it.”
After being struck down by injuries, the former Young Achiever of the Year winner turned to one of his family’s great passions – cycling – to reignite his career.
He wasted no time making an impact.
Featonby immediately turned heads by finishing 9th overall and fourth in the final stage up Mt Hotham in the Tour of Bright.
He also turned in some strong performances for South Australian-based Swiss Wellness Cycling Team including a win in the second stage of the National Capital Tour.
Border cyclist Rhys Pollock is a former member of the Drapac team.
“Being a holistic athlete is something I have always felt strongly about and I'm thrilled to align with a team with same views,” he said.