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Sport
Shayne Hope

Bevilacqua bullish with Ironman Series up for grabs

Matt Bevilacqua has come third on the Gold Coast to keep his Nutri-Grain Ironman series hopes alive. (PR HANDOUT IMAGE PHOTO) (AAP)

Matt Bevilacqua has set his sights on a second career title after the Nutri-Grain Ironman Series was blown wide open on a day of upsets on the Gold Coast.

Georgia Miller won a fourth consecutive round at Kurrawa Beach on Saturday to put herself on the verge of another Ironwoman crown.

But the men's series was turned on its head when defending champion Ali Day pulled out with a virus and leader Ben Carberry had a rare bad day out, finishing 10th.

Carberry and Bevilacqua, who finished third, will head into Sunday's final round tied on top of the leaderboard with 86 points.

Saturday's first-time winner Joe Collins is three points further back, while Day is yet to confirm if he will take part in the final round.

"I'm still fighting for a Series title against anyone - it doesn't matter who - and I've got a big day coming tomorrow," Bevilacqua said.

"It would mean the world ... I've fought so hard over the years to get these Series titles and been second and third a few times, and I've won one too.

"I just want to make sure I do everything in my career, and make the most of every opportunity, so tomorrow is an opportunity and I've got to go out and take it."

Miller consistently placed in the first four women's races on Saturday and entered the final race in second place.

Her expertise in navigating the surf saw her break away in the final ski leg and power home to clinch the win.

"That win is huge," Miller said.

"I just wanted to come out today and enjoy myself, and just take it one race at a time ... I just tried to focus on that.

"Things definitely didn't go my way in a few of the races, but I just knew for that final iron I just had to be close front and work my way through it."

Miller sits comfortably on top of the leaderboard with 98 points, well clear of Lizzie Welborn (85) and Lucy Derbyshire (80).

"It would be a dream come true to win another Series - they are so incredibly hard to win," Miller said, having previously claimed the 2018/19 title.

"I've been second for quite a few years now but this year I just wanted to come out and enjoy myself and then hope results followed, and they have."

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