Germany's Jan Frodeno, who stunned the world at the Olympic Games to take the gold medal in the men's triathlon, contests his first major event on home soil since his Beijing victory at the Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship Series in Hamburg.
The Germans have always enjoyed strong performances in front of an excitable crowd and none more so that Daniel Unger who won the 2007 World Championships and 2008 World Cup in the city. Frodeno finished second in last year's race and is still looking for his first win of the Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship Series.
Maik Petzold might have something to say about his two compatriots stealing the limelight following two fourth place finishes and a bronze medal in the last three races of the series. He is the highest ranked German athlete, sitting fourth in the standings.
One man who can't be written off is Canada's Simon Whitfield who produced a stunning sprint finish at the Hy-Vee Elite Cup to take home a $200,000 prize cheque. The double Olympic medallist knows how to deliver on the big occasion and is one to look out for.
Both the Aussies and the Kiwis are looking to rediscover their early season form following recent slumps in performance at Kitzbühel. Tongyeong race winner Bevan Docherty and fellow New Zealander Kris Gemmell both crashed on the bike in Austria which cost them a chance of a podium finish, whilst Australia's Brad Kahlefeldt finished a lowly thirty-third in the cold conditions.
European championship bronze medallist Alexander Brukhankov from Russia also crashed out on the bike in the wet conditions, but could well feature towards the fore in Germany whilst team mates Dmitry Polyansky and Ivan Vasiliev should also be in the mix.
On the women's side, world number one Emma Moffatt, has been in domineering form so far this year and hasn't lost a race since the start of May. With two wins to her name already in the series another victory in Hamburg would set her up nicely for the Grand Final on home turf in early September.
Moffatt's only loss was at the hands of training partner and Olympic gold medallist Emma Snowsill who looks unlikely to be making the trip to Europe as she recovers from a slight hip injury.
With another couple of weeks of training in the tank, Portugal's Vanessa Fernandes could feature strongly despite pulling out on the run in Kitzbühel. The Olympic Games runner-up took the bronze at the European championships just three weeks ago as she returns to form following early season injury.
Debbie Tanner (Auckland) and Nicky Samuels (Wanaka) will represent New Zealand in Hamburg. Both will be looking to improve on their performances in Kitzbuhel as they too look to pick up valuable ranking points as the season enters its crucial second phase leading into the season ending finale on the Gold Coast in September.
German interest lies in last year's Hamburg World Cup winner Ricarda Lisk who has continued to improve with every race. She will line up alongside Christiane Pilz and Anja Dittmer whilst Kate Allen from Austria will be looking for another top performance following a seventh place on home turf two weeks ago.
The Swiss are enjoying a great season and although European champion Nicola Spirig is saving herself for the London leg of the series, Magali Di Marco should be threatening the podium. Washington, DC bronze medallist Daniela Ryf returns to action having missed Kitzbühel and will join Swedish training partner and Madrid silver medallist Lisa Norden on the pontoon.
Sarah Haskins and Laura Bennett make up the front end of a strong US contingent which includes the awesome swim duo of Hayley Piersol and Sara McLarty.
Live coverage of all the weekends action will be streamed via www.triathlon.org/tv.
