It has been rare in recent times for New Zealand's best two triathletes to go head to head on home soil. Even when Bevan Docherty and Kris Gemmell have made the start line together, events have conspired to keep them apart by the midway point in the race.
In New Plymouth three years ago Gemmell crashed heavily on the bike, at Takapuna last year Docherty punctured leaving Gemmell to claim victory but on Sunday New Zealand's two leading triathletes of the past decade go head to head over a sprint distance in the Contact Tri Series at Takapuna.
Docherty is making the journey back from his American base at Santa Cruz in California while Gemmell travels the somewhat shorter distance from Palmerston North as both look to kick start their 2011 campaigns that have London looming large on the horizon.
Docherty is in good shape and looking forward to racing on a superb circuit and against his great mate and rival.
"I don't race in New Zealand much so it will be nice to have a good race, but as per every event this year the main goal is London so this is a stepping stone and my first race of the season. I think it will be a shock to the body but Takapuna is always a good one to kick off season and to race back home will be a lot of fun."
And what about that rivalry with Gemmell, one the two are focused on taking through to the London 2012 Olympics?
"Gemmell and I both try to talk it down, how much training we've done, what shape we are in, what our goals are – whatever! I'm scrambling to find excuses this year, I am flying in from the States just two days before we hit the start line – maybe that might be the one to use! But I know we both want to race well and put on a good show in front of a big crowd.
"Training is going well and I'm in good shape. I'm not race fit but very fit generally with the work I have been doing, I'm looking forward to it. I am now well over the issues I had last year, I have had plenty of time to recover and training is going well. It was just one of those years, one I have learned a great deal from to take into this year. I won't be making the same mistakes twice, that's for sure.
"Takapuna is a fun race, I guess you have to be on limit the whole time and be aware the whole time. I'll just make sure I am switched on and give it everything the whole way through."
Gemmell too is talking up an event that is fast becoming one of the 'must do' races on the domestic calendar, with live television coverage and huge crowds lining the streets of Takapuna.
"It's a special event; it feels like the world champs in NZ, it has taken on that little bit of mystique about it, it's well organised at a good time of the year and is a good way to start the year. There is a bit of pressure given I have won the past two to win a third and yeah, it is always good to be going up against Bevan and a few of the young up and coming guys and I'm looking forward to racing in front of a big crowd on Sunday."
Gemmell and Docherty haven't managed to go to the finish shoulder to shoulder in New Zealand since that famous sprint finish in New Plymouth four years ago; does Gemmell hope they can do that this weekend?
"It would be great, we have been in touch while he is over in Santa Cruz and he is working hard and I have been putting in 40 hour weeks in training, I feel a little like I am going into an Ironman race with the amount of training I am doing but I am really excited and looking forward to racing Bevan for sure."
Gemmell though is aware of other threats from the likes of Ryan Sissons, Marty Van Barneveld and others in the race on Sunday.
"That's the thing with these races at the start of the year, they are short and fast and if you are little bit off and tired from your training these young guys can get you. You have to be attentive and watchful the entire race and not let anyone get up the road on the bike, a gap of 10 or 15 seconds can be the difference between first and fifth on a day like this. It is a case of keeping an eye on things and being on top of my game.
"The transition from swim to bike is one of the toughest in our sport anyway but the run up the reserve and on to the bike and then negotiating the first few technical corners with a tight left then a right and then a hot dog turn at Suzuki corner it is right on from the word go. In previous years I think that is where some of the breaks have occurred in the years it has got away, I'll be looking to be on the bike early and have a smooth transition and get busy early. If we can get a small breakaway that will suit me more than having 30 guys get off together at the end of the bike and into a running race."
The elite men's race gets underway at 4.55 on Sunday afternoon and is expected to take just under 50 minutes for the 500m swim, 16km bike and 4km run around the tight and technical course through the Takapuna CBD. The elite women's race begins at 3.55 over the same course.
There is a full day of racing however, with age group and beginner races earlier in the day from 7.30am.
