Javier Gomez returns to the ITU this weekend

Cam Mitchell March 29, 2019

On March 31st, Javier Gomez (ESP) will make his highly anticipated return to the International Triathlon Union (ITU) circuit at the World Cup event in New Plymouth, New Zealand. In an interview ahead of the race weekend, Gomez said:

“I’m excited to do an ITU race again.New Plymouth is a race that I’ve always liked and have great memories from 2008 and 2014, when I raced there. For me it’s a preparation race for World Triathlon Series in Bermuda and I look forward to some fast racing again.”

Already an Olympic silver medallist and five-time ITU world champion, Gomez hopes to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. At the London 2012 Olympics, Gomez finished second – in between the Brownlee brother sandwich. Unfortunately, the Spaniard was forced to withdraw from the Rio Olympics due to an elbow fracture.

Always a contender for the win, Gomez will be going up against Tyler Mislawchuk (CAN). Last year, Mislawchuk finished the season ranked ninth in the world. This year, the Canadian has shown great early season form. Two weeks ago, the Canadian took his first World Cup win in Mooloolaba, Australia.

Mislawchuk will be joined by Matthew Sharpe (CAN) and Alexis Lepage (CAN).