London calling for New Zealand triathletes

The Dextro Energy ITU Triathlon World Championship Series moves on to London this week, with many of the world’s best looking to back up just a week after Hamburg last weekend, including Kiwis Bevan Docherty and Andrea Hewitt.

They will be joined by a host of other New Zealanders however with Kris Gemmell, Ryan Sissons, Clark Ellice and Martin van Barneveld on the men’s start line after missing Hamburg while in the women’s Debbie Tanner, Kate McIlroy and Nicky Samuels join Hewitt.

Hewitt is looking to back up after another strong performance last week in Hamburg, with her 6th placing moving her to 4th in the World Championship standings.

“I want to race well in back to back weekends. I am trying to recover as much as I can during these five days in between with just some light training. I am spending time with the Tri NZ team in Oxford, just outside of London. I think the run will be a lot faster in London since some of the top girls sat out of Hamburg to concentrate on London, being an important race next year for Olympic Selection.”

Debbie Tanner can’t wait to race in her first competitive outing since Des Moines in mid June.

“I am amped to be racing again this weekend in London. My last race was in Des Moines, Iowa and feel like I have made real progression with my training, it is especially exciting to be racing again on the Olympic course as it gives us just another chance to trial everything before the selection event next year.

“I have come over from USA a bit earlier then I did last year as I struggled with the cross over in 2009 from America to Europe but feel better that I have had a bit longer in Europe this year before the race at the training base in Sigmarigen, Germany.”

47th ranked Ryan Sissons has warmed up for London with 8 weeks of solid training with the New Zealand team at Boulder Colorado and an 8th place finish at last weekend’s French Grand Prix in Paris.

“I am really looking forward to racing this weekend, I raced here last year and know what to expect. I’ve had a great 8 weeks in Boulder with the national team and then went to Paris to race the French GP Paris, which was a really good hit out race for me with the likes of Alistair Brownlee and Kris (Gemmell) in the race. We were lucky enough to race right in front of the Eiffel Tower, probably the most spectacular race venue I have ever raced at.

“However in London I know what I have to do to have a good race this weekend and I’m hoping for at least a top 20 finish. I know I can do it if all goes to plan; it’s just matter of being in the right place at the right time in the race on Sunday. I know I’m really fit and swimming really well at the moment so if the opportunity arises and there is a small group away early, I’m hoping to be in it.

“The nature of the course suggests it will come down to a running race, and most likely another super fast run split which will certainly test me out on Sunday!”

Bevan Docherty goes in the best ranked of the New Zealand men at 10th and will be looking to atone for his withdrawal in Hamburg last weekend. He has enjoyed a light week of training this week as he looks to taper for London and also be at his best for the remaining two events in the series at Kitzbuhel in mid August and the season ending Budapest race in September.

Women’s Elite 12.06am Sunday
Including: Andrea Hewitt, Debbie Tanner, Nicky Samuels, Kate McIlroy
Men’s Elite 3.06am Monday
Including: Bevan Docherty, Kris Gemmell, Ryan Sissons, Clark Ellice, Martin van Barneveld

WEBSITES:
http://www.triathlon.org
http://london.triathlon.org