Cameron Wurf wants to lead the next Australian wave at the Hawaiian Ironman triathlon, saying his plan is to eventually contend for the win.
Two years after finishing the race as an age grouper, despite broken bones in his foot, Wurf will race the world championships in the professional field.
The 34-year-old wants a top-five finish on October 14 at Kona and then plans to return next year as one of the main players.
No Australian has won the Hawaiian Ironman men's title in five years, although 2012 champion Pete Jacobs is back.
Three-time women's champion Mirinda Carfrae, who was runner-up last year, has just had her first baby.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Fellow multiple winners Craig Alexander and Chris McCormack are also no longer in the field, leaving an Australian void.
Instead, German Jan Frodeno and Swiss Daniela Ryf have won for the past two years.
Wurf would love to crash the European party at triathlon's most famous race.
"Next year I'm aiming to go to Kona and be on the podium, see if I can win," he said.
"This year is a bit of a Hail Mary."
While Wurf won Ironman Wales last month, his main priority has been ranking points to confirm next year's start.
At worst, he hopes for a top-15 result on October 14.
"But I really think I'd under-perform with that result. I really want to shoot for the top five," he said
Wurf rowed at the 2004 Olympic Games and then switched to pro cycling, again competing at the top level.
But in early 2015 he decided to step out of cycling full-time.
That year, despite his foot injury, he finished Hawaii in the impressive time of 10 hours 46 minutes.
"I wanted to eyeball these (top) guys ... I wanted to see what they looked like in that last hour of racing," he said.
"It didn't scare me. That's why I was there."
Wurf has had plenty of quality help, training on the bike this year with Richie Porte and Chris Froome.
He also has Alexander in his corner.
"He said 'you're probably one of those fortunate guys who can have his best races here'," Wurf said.
"That was something else I took a lot of confidence from - he was really quite influential in pushing me towards this.
"It is going to be horrible, but it's horrible for everyone."
The Ironman is a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run and Hawaii is particularly tough, thanks to the tropical heat and fierce winds during the bike leg.
