Kiwi 'matadors' set to fight it out in Madrid
The International Triathlon Union World Cup heads to Spain this weekend but for a number of New Zealanders the focus is just as much on the World Championships in Hamburg later this year.
With Kris Gemmell, Bevan Docherty and Shane Reed having three of the six available men’s World Championship spots sewn up, the scrap for the remaining three places likely to be awarded to New Zealand is already intense and is showing no signs of letting up with three of the four contenders racing in Madrid.
James Elvery is arguably the athlete with the most to prove. Currently ranked 76th on the ITU Points list and sixth New Zealander, Elvery is under pressure to qualify for the elite men’s team for the World’s after missing selection in the U23 category.
Poor early season form and a close shave with a marker buoy in the selection race in Wellington saw the 23 year old miss the three man age group team but that shock has him motivated more than ever to make the step up to the elite division.
“Missing the U23 team was certainly not part of the plan but there is no point losing energy over that now, it has happened and I have to now get on with qualifying for the elite team for Hamburg. I am going to work bloody hard to make sure I am not the one to miss out.â€Â
Elvery has certainly found form of late, finishing a highly creditable 20th at the Richards Bay World Cup and then second in the first round of the ITU European Cup at San Remo two weeks ago, in the process jumping close to 40 places on the ITU rankings and into the crucial sixth ranked Kiwi position.
Elvery knows a strong race in Madrid and then Vancouver in a week’s time can set up his season.
“It is important that I race well over the next couple of events and not only cement my position in the top six Kiwis but put pressure on Clark (Ellice) and Ben (Pulham) and if I can, move ahead of them on the overall rankings. I have been guilty of going out too strong early in the run earlier this season and blowing up but San Remo suggested I have that under control.â€Â
Elvery is certainly collecting the air points as he chases vital ITU Points. In the space of 5 weeks he will have travelled to or from New Zealand, Spain, France, Canada, Germany and then back home but far from complaining, the Aucklander is taking it all in his stride.
HEWITT LEADS KIWI WOMEN
Three New Zealanders will race in the women’s event in Madrid with current ITU number four ranked Andrea Hewitt leading the way.
Hewitt is enjoying her time in Europe and has already experienced her first race in the French Club Grand Prix championship, winning over a sprint distance for her Beauvais club. The 25 year old is defending a second placing in Spain last year and once again will have to contend with last years winner and current world number one Vanessa Fernandes from Portugal.
“Vanessa will be difficult to beat this weekend, all the more so as she is going for a fifth straight win in Spain and is obviously in good form. But I have been training well and have enjoyed a few weeks away from full on racing so I am ready to go this weekend.â€Â
Hewitt says her tactics may have to change this year though.
“Last year I snuck away on the bike and Vanessa was the only one to run me down, there is no way they are likely to let that happen again so this will be tough but I am ready and in good shape.â€Â
Hewitt will be joined by 32nd ranked Nicky Samuels and 104th ranked Taryn McLeod. While McLeod is the sixth ranked Kiwi, she has yet to fulfil the Triathlon New Zealand 2007 World Championships criteria of a top 25 finish at a World Cup race. To do so in Spain would surely be the equivalent of a podium finish for the Dunedin athlete.
New Zealand Competitors at Madrid, ITU World Cup R5
Men
Name ITU rank NZ rank
Kris Gemmell Palmerston Nth 3rd 2nd
Ben Pulman Auckland 55th 4th
Clark Ellice New Plymouth 67th 5th
James Elvery Auckland 76th 6th
Liam Scopes Auckland 141st 10th
Ben Visser Auckland 320th 18th
*not including the now retired Hamish Carter who still appears on the ITU rankings list
Women
Name ITU rank NZ rank
Andrea Hewitt Christchurch 4th 2nd
Nicky Samuels Whangarei 32nd 4th
Taryn McLeod Dunedin 104th 6th
A release covering all results including all New Zealanders will be delivered early Monday morning. For live race coverage and results however, visit www.triathlon.org
ITU World Cup round 5, Madrid, Sunday 3rd June
Women’s Race 8.15pm NZT
Men’s Race 11.00pm NZT
With Kris Gemmell, Bevan Docherty and Shane Reed having three of the six available men’s World Championship spots sewn up, the scrap for the remaining three places likely to be awarded to New Zealand is already intense and is showing no signs of letting up with three of the four contenders racing in Madrid.
James Elvery is arguably the athlete with the most to prove. Currently ranked 76th on the ITU Points list and sixth New Zealander, Elvery is under pressure to qualify for the elite men’s team for the World’s after missing selection in the U23 category.
Poor early season form and a close shave with a marker buoy in the selection race in Wellington saw the 23 year old miss the three man age group team but that shock has him motivated more than ever to make the step up to the elite division.
“Missing the U23 team was certainly not part of the plan but there is no point losing energy over that now, it has happened and I have to now get on with qualifying for the elite team for Hamburg. I am going to work bloody hard to make sure I am not the one to miss out.â€Â
Elvery has certainly found form of late, finishing a highly creditable 20th at the Richards Bay World Cup and then second in the first round of the ITU European Cup at San Remo two weeks ago, in the process jumping close to 40 places on the ITU rankings and into the crucial sixth ranked Kiwi position.
Elvery knows a strong race in Madrid and then Vancouver in a week’s time can set up his season.
“It is important that I race well over the next couple of events and not only cement my position in the top six Kiwis but put pressure on Clark (Ellice) and Ben (Pulham) and if I can, move ahead of them on the overall rankings. I have been guilty of going out too strong early in the run earlier this season and blowing up but San Remo suggested I have that under control.â€Â
Elvery is certainly collecting the air points as he chases vital ITU Points. In the space of 5 weeks he will have travelled to or from New Zealand, Spain, France, Canada, Germany and then back home but far from complaining, the Aucklander is taking it all in his stride.
HEWITT LEADS KIWI WOMEN
Three New Zealanders will race in the women’s event in Madrid with current ITU number four ranked Andrea Hewitt leading the way.
Hewitt is enjoying her time in Europe and has already experienced her first race in the French Club Grand Prix championship, winning over a sprint distance for her Beauvais club. The 25 year old is defending a second placing in Spain last year and once again will have to contend with last years winner and current world number one Vanessa Fernandes from Portugal.
“Vanessa will be difficult to beat this weekend, all the more so as she is going for a fifth straight win in Spain and is obviously in good form. But I have been training well and have enjoyed a few weeks away from full on racing so I am ready to go this weekend.â€Â
Hewitt says her tactics may have to change this year though.
“Last year I snuck away on the bike and Vanessa was the only one to run me down, there is no way they are likely to let that happen again so this will be tough but I am ready and in good shape.â€Â
Hewitt will be joined by 32nd ranked Nicky Samuels and 104th ranked Taryn McLeod. While McLeod is the sixth ranked Kiwi, she has yet to fulfil the Triathlon New Zealand 2007 World Championships criteria of a top 25 finish at a World Cup race. To do so in Spain would surely be the equivalent of a podium finish for the Dunedin athlete.
New Zealand Competitors at Madrid, ITU World Cup R5
Men
Name ITU rank NZ rank
Kris Gemmell Palmerston Nth 3rd 2nd
Ben Pulman Auckland 55th 4th
Clark Ellice New Plymouth 67th 5th
James Elvery Auckland 76th 6th
Liam Scopes Auckland 141st 10th
Ben Visser Auckland 320th 18th
*not including the now retired Hamish Carter who still appears on the ITU rankings list
Women
Name ITU rank NZ rank
Andrea Hewitt Christchurch 4th 2nd
Nicky Samuels Whangarei 32nd 4th
Taryn McLeod Dunedin 104th 6th
A release covering all results including all New Zealanders will be delivered early Monday morning. For live race coverage and results however, visit www.triathlon.org
ITU World Cup round 5, Madrid, Sunday 3rd June
Women’s Race 8.15pm NZT
Men’s Race 11.00pm NZT