ITU WCS Madrid Preview

Race three of the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series goes this weekend in Madrid, Spain. The Elite women will race on Saturday June 5th and the men will see action on Sunday. The race will be the first opportunity for athletes to score points toward securing a spot for their country at London’s 2012 Olympic Games Triathlon.

Racing for the first time in 2010, Great Britain’s reigning ITU World Champion Alistair Brownlee will be looking to pick up where he left off in 2009 – he also won on this course last year by 48 seconds. Sure to be inspired by the home crowd, 2008 ITU World Champ Javier Gomez will look to make sure that Brownlee does not defend his title. Also look out for Germany’s Jan Frodeno (2008 Olympic Champion, winner of the last WCS race in Seoul), Australians Courtney Atkinson (second in Seoul and second to Brownlee last year) and Brad Kahlefeldt, along with world number one Alexander Brukhankov (RUS), and world number three Dmitry Polyansky (RUS).

The women will be led by current world number one Barbara Riveros Diaz (CHI), and world number three Andrea Hewitt (NZL). Like Brownlee, Portugal’s Vanessa Fernandes, the winningest athlete in ITU history, will race for the first time this year. After winning in Seoul, Switzerland’s Daniela Ryf will attempt to add a second WCS title in a row – with her being a strong cyclist this course (12-percent grade climb on each of the 8 laps of the bike) works in her favour.

Also of interest, five-time Tour de France champion Miguel Indurain, will participate in the cycling leg of a triathlon relay this weekend, racing as a part of the Laureus team to raise funds for some of their many international development projects. The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation is the official charity partner of the ITU.

“Triathlon is a formidable and spectacular sport and I am delighted to be one of the guests at the Casa de Campo in Madrid for this impressive day of world championship action,” said 6 foot 2 inch Spanish legend to the ITU Media. “I hope all the triathletes in the field and the spectators will understand a little more now of what Laureus does for disadvantaged young people around the world, which is why our partnership with the International Triathlon Union is so important.  This is something in which I believe passionately, and I am delighted that this major world event in my country can play its part.”

The women’s race starts at 1:15pm CET on Saturday June 5th, and the men at 1pm CET on Sunday June 6th. Visit https://www.triathlonlive.tv/index/home for live coverage.