Bevan Docherty and Kris Gemmell will be leading the Kiwi charge at the opening round of the Dextro Energy ITU World Championship Series in Sydney on Sunday, with Docherty looking to defend the title he won so impressively at the start of last season.
They won't lack for company either, with a total of six New Zealanders on the start line, including Ryan Sissons (Auckland), James Elvery (Christchurch), Martin van Barneveld (Wellington) and Clark Ellice (New Plymouth) in a stunning line up that has attracted the best the sport can assemble.
Docherty is keen to repeat last year's heroics when he proved too strong on a course that threw its share of hills at the competitors, on both the bike and the run.
"I'm super excited about the opening race in Sydney, being defending champion I'm keen to show everyone that it wasn't a fluke last year. My training has been going really well, I'm injury free and just recently have come into some great form, so I'm expecting a good race this weekend.
"There have been a few changes to the course this year, but it still feel likes a course that will suit me. There are so many quality guys racing Sydney, Olympic Champions, World Champions, it doesn't get any more competitive, however I need to test myself all the time and this will give me an idea of where I'm at with my training."
Palmerston North's Kris Gemmell is 'dropping down in distance' after his stunning victory in his first half ironman attempt in Singapore a month ago; he too is in good shape for Sunday.
"It's always great to get racing with the big boys! Even when you think you might not be ready to do it, you get in the big races and you find that something special. Sydney is a great course and with it being so close to New Zealand there is always a ton of support from family and friends on course. I'll be watching for early moves in the race, if nothing eventuates from the others I want to try to be aggressive, and look to steal a gap late in the bike.
"Of course its Olympic qualification year and this is the most important thing. With the race everyone is looking for being the test event in London in August it's about balancing the results now with goals later on. I know I've worked really hard over summer to lay a great foundation to race off and so just looking forward to getting out there and racing."
Auckland's Ryan Sissons is another in good form after his Oceania U23 title in Wellington, albeit he has to address his swim to emerge out of the water with or close enough to the lead pack heading on to the bike.
"This is the first big race of the season for me, and a good chance to see what is and what isn't working and hopefully chance stuff if needed before the next race in 5 weeks. I know the course will suit me, hopefully I'm able to have a good swim and get right amongst that front pack, and then with a few little hills on the bike and an undulating run course it's a great strength/endurance type course, something I have been working on during the off season so hopefully I can play my cards come Sunday."
Clark Ellice has been training in the warmth and recently the rain of the Sunshine Coast in preparation for Sydney, like the others his big goal is London later in the year.
"Without question everything I am doing is aimed at getting to the London Olympics, I will leave no stone unturned and make sure I have covered all areas of weakness in time for the London selection race, it is 3 months and counting. On Sunday I need to make that bloody pack out of the water! I know I have got the goods for the other two disciplines, but unless I make that front pack it's a game of catch up."
For James Elvery, the goal is racing consistently and picking up points to get a shot at qualifying for London later in the year.
"I'm looking for another consistent race building on my results in Wellington and Mooloolaba over the last 3 weeks. I need to keep scrapping points to make sure I get a start in London in August, as we saw in Australia last week how competitive it will be all year. I've got through these last weeks in good shape and am confident in my ability to put together decent races back to back."
Dextro Energy ITU World Championship Series, Sydney
Sunday 10th April
Elite Men 4.16pm NZT
Live coverage on Sky Sport and www.triathlon.org
Including New Zealanders:
- Bevan Docherty Taupo (USA based)
- Kris Gemmell Palmerston North
- Ryan Sissons Auckland
- Clark Ellice New Plymouth
- James Elvery Christchurch
- Martin van Barneveld Wellington
