Kris Gemmell assumes the mantle of leading male New Zealand triathlete in the absence of the resting Bevan Docherty at this weekend’s ITU Dextro Energy World Championship Series Grand Finale.
The 33 year old starts the final round in Budapest ranked 33rd in the world, having headed down to Budapest from his altitude training camp just three days before his race this Saturday evening New Zealand time.
“I decided from start of the year to spend our time up here at Font Romeu as part of a process to work out how altitude works for the big races and while the WC series goes all year most of us are based in Europe through the year so this is ideal, we are just a couple of hours away from Budapest.
“It is different for everybody but for me staying at altitude right up until a couple of days before works well, we have to be there two days before for the race briefing so that is the plan, head down and get straight into it this weekend.”
Gemmell says his relatively low ranking of 33 in the world and what appear to be poor results for the well performed triathlete are not of concern. Gemmell says the introduction of a season long championship is at odds with his planning and that of SPARC and Tri NZ.
“Last year when the World Championship became a season long series and everyone was thrown into the fish tank to fight for the food on offer I went about my season looking to do well in the whole series. Going into the last race I was third in the world and had an opportunity to become world champion but ran out of steam and ended up having a season worst result that day.
“However this year SPARC and Tri NZ asked us to peak at a couple of key races and for me that meant Des Moines and here in Budapest. I have already ticked off one (2nd in Des Moines) and now plan to race well in Budapest and prove I can race well on the day that matters.”
Gemmell believes the sport is changing rapidly and that further evidence of that will be on display this weekend.
“Budapest is an interesting course. The sport is changing so much and Kitzbuhel again opened new doors in our sport. Jan Frodeno, Javier Gomez and Al Brownlee are running fast and guys know they are a minute slower on the run and out of the race before they start if they get off the bike alongside them. I think we saw in Kitz that people are prepared to attack on the bike, especially from guys that might not be competing for the series. I think there will be some risk takers out there and we will have to be really aware on the bike and I wouldn’t be surprised if a group goes away while the others race tactically for the overall series.”
Gemmell will be joined in the elite men’s race by fellow Kiwis Martin van Barneveld (Wellington), Clark Ellice (New Plymouth) and Ben Pattle (Auckland). For 100th ranked Pattle it is his first World Championship Grand Finale at elite level.
“I’m looking forward to this weekend after what has been a very average season so far in Europe. It is vital that I have a solid race not only to go home happy but also for qualification for Olympics, which has been on everybody’s mind since June. It will be my first Elite World Champs so I am a little nervous but perhaps more excited than anything. I have been up at altitude since Lausanne to give myself a last minute boost and am feeling the best I have all season. I am hoping for a top 20 finish this weekend, though I think that will be extremely tough given the times everybody is running.”
Clark Ellice is the next best ranked Kiwi behind Gemmell, the man ranked at 44 in the world continues to aim high with London on his long term radar.
“The body has never felt better, the head clearer and the motor is running on a full tank of Taranaki fire. Mum is coming over to watch, as is my beautiful girl Sarah, so I have to make it happen with two amazing supporters being present at the race.”
He will also be racing for someone who sadly is no longer here to offer Ellice support, but will nonetheless be there in spirit.
“I will race with God’s grace and to give my Nana that farewell present I could never deliver a month ago when she left this world. I have never felt more focused and alive and am really excited to test my new level and unleash all that is brewing inside.”
