And the good news is that is a very achievable goal.

Now 32, Gillmer relocated to Bathurst last January as he retired from the ranks of professional racing. He instead focused on teaching geography and legal studies at Bathurst High School.

That break from racing allowed him to refresh himself mentally and, since returning, he has been in good touch.

Gillmer won the opening race of the Bathurst Wallabies season and in Cowra took out the annual Central West Interclub Series opener.

In the Tour of Bright three-stage cycling event last weekend, Gillmer won the green jersey for the best sprinter in his masters category.

“I took last year completely off triathlon. I retired from professional racing and I pretty much decided to have a year off to freshen myself up mentally,” he said.

“When you start to feel like it’s a chore, it’s really tough, you can’t do it anymore. 

“You always want to do it, but you can’t force it.

“I surprised myself with how well it’s gone. I am not as good as when I was racing professionally, but I am really enjoying racing again.

“Those results were good and it makes me want to have a really good season and it makes you want to train a bit harder and contest bigger events.”

Though racing in the Central West is a step back from what Gillmer has previously done, there is enough talent in the region to make sure he is pushed.

Fellow Wallabies club member Nick North, who was runner-up in the interclub opener and previously represented Australia, is one athlete who is helping Gillmer make his return to racing a success. 

Gillmer is also enjoying the support from the entire club.

“It is really nice to have Nick here. It is nice to race against someone like that because when you go to bigger races you are used to pushing yourself and having to chase,” he said.

“It is a really friendly atmosphere [at Bathurst]; it’s nice and supportive. When I did that first race there was no pressure on ... the feeling around the club is awesome.

“Everyone has been really, really nice. I think they enjoy having someone new at the club with experience to chat to.”

But now something bigger than club and Central West races is beckoning for Gillmer – he wants to compete at the world championships. 

His competitive drive has returned and, given what he has accomplished in the past, it would be no surprise to see him succeed.

“I lived in Canada in 2010. I won the Canadian national amateur championship, I won every race I did as an amateur that year and I did a few professional races and got a couple of top fives,” he said.

“I turned professional after that and raced professionally for three years.”

This Sunday he will contest the Triathlon NSW Sprint Series event at Kurnell and will follow that with a race at Canberra in January and the Australian titles at Melbourne in February.

“I am aiming to qualify for the World Championships in Chicago at the end of September,” Gillmer said.

“I’m pretty confident I can do that.”