Triathlon: Murray keen to start season with win in Abu Dhabi

Denzil Pinto 04:56 03/03/2016
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  • Optimistic: Richard Murray.

    With an Olympic spot all but confirmed following a strong 2015, Richard Murray isn’t short on confidence. But the South African believes last season’s overall runner-up Mario Mola will be the man to beat in the 65-person field as he opens his season in the ITU World Triathlon in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

    Murray enjoyed a solid 12 months, taking bronze in the capital and Chicago before triumphing in Edmonton. Qualification for the Rio Olympics in August was the icing on the cake for the 27-year-old.

    With six months to go until his biggest competition of 2016, Murray is gearing up for his most important year starting with the Abu Dhabi leg of the world series.

    The world number four considers the capital event as crucial given it is the first race of the season and the fact that the course has been upgraded from Sprint to Olympic distance as they swim 1,500m, 40km bike before running 10km to the finish line around the Corniche.

    With six of the top 10 males in action, including world number 6, 7 and 8, Ryan Bailie, Crisanto Grajales, and Joao Pereira, Murray has a tough task to claim gold but admits a podium spot is achieveable.

    “I have trained with Mario (Mola) before and his form is very good at the moment,” he said. “I reckon he’s an eight or a nine out of 10 for his fitness, which is quite good. He will be definitely one to beat when it comes to the run.

    “He can do anything from 29 minutes on the run, and I think he’s the one who we will have to watch when it comes to the race day.

    “I think my chances will come down on the run and my fitness and my condition is quite good overall now. Getting on the podium is definitely what I’m capable of and something I want to achieve.

    “At the end of the day, it comes down to the Olympic Games. It will be a massive thing for me to win an Olympic medal and especially for my country. If I become an Olympic champion that would be amazing but it will be interesting how the year unfolds.”

    In the women’s event, last season’s runner-up Katie Zaferes is one of four top-10 females making up the strong field which also includes world number three Sarah True.

    Zaferes is dreaming of booking her Rio ticket but her immediate aim is her own showing in Abu Dhabi.

    “Having a performance that is up to my standards is more important than where I finish in Abu Dhabi,” said the American. “If I make mistakes then I’ll still be disappointed even with a win. What is crucial for me is to see progression in every race. My goal is to be better than myself every time I hit the finish line.

    “With the USA women’s team as strong as they are, qualifying is no easy feat. Representing my country at the Olympics has been my goal since I started doing triathlon.”

    As well as the two elite competitions, more than 2,000 athletes will compete in the age group races on Saturday, while tomorrow’s (Friday) junior aquathlon and triathlon have attracted over 200 children.

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