Javier Gomez, the 2015 International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Triathlon Series Champion, and defending Abu Dhabi champion Mario Mola – the world’s top two triathletes – will look to consolidate their bid for an Olympic gold medal later this by dominating a quality field in Abu Dhabi next month.
Spaniards Gomez and Mola, who have both qualified for Rio 2016, have confirmed they will be on the start line in the UAE capital for the March 5 season-opening ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi, to be held at the city’s stunning Corniche.
The 2016 Abu Dhabi event – one of only four World Triathlon Series (WTS) events where Olympic qualification points are on offer – features a superb field with eight out of the world’s top-10 male triathletes confirmed for the second edition.
With a record-breaking five ITU World Championships to his name, 32-year-old Gomez is a front runner for the title, but will face fierce competition from 25-year-old Mola who is intent on retaining his Abu Dhabi title.
Mola will undoubtedly enjoy huge support from his strong local fan base who will recall his thrilling 2015 finish stretch battle against Frenchman Vincent Luis and South Africa’s Richard Murray.
“I’m really looking forward to returning to Abu Dhabi. I had a great start here last year, which set me up for one of my best seasons,” Mola commented.
“The course is surprisingly challenging, the crowds are great and Abu Dhabi is a beautiful location for an ITU World Triathlon Series race. It will be an ideal location to the get the 2016 season started.”
Following last year’s highly successful inaugural staging in the UAE capital, the ITU has elevated the Abu Dhabi leg from a Sprint distance to an Olympic distance course, ensuring the world’s elite use the opener to test themselves in racing conditions similar to those of Rio.
The elite field of 65 men and 65 women is already fully subscribed with 120 men and 80 women still remaining on the waiting list to compete in the race, which will be contested with a 1500m swim, 40km bike and a 10km run routes.
The elite international event will still have a community feeling as over 2,000 amateur triathletes will get to show their skills alongside the world’s top triathletes.
“Places are still available for age group entrants to experience the very same course as the world’s best on their journey to Rio,” said Ahmed Abdullah Al Qubaisi, ADSC’s Director of Marketing and Communications.
This year also sees the return of the Junior Triathlon and Aquathlon; a fun event aimed at encouraging youngsters to get active. There are three entry categories: Tiny Triathlete (50m swim and 100m run for 5-8 years), Junior Aquathlon (200m swim and 1.5km run for 9-15 years), and Junior Triathlon Super Sprint (375m swim, 10km cycle and a 2.5km run for 11-17 years).
To enter, visit www.abudhabi.triathlon.org/enter.
