ITU Madrid..the last hit out
Thursday, 22 May 2008 01:50
The ITU caravan rolls into Madrid this weekend for the 200th World Cup event, a fantastic milestone for the ITU. The World Cup started back in 1991 and has now progressed to be a bone fide world competition. This was capped off at the Sydney Olympics where triathlon made a spectacular debut on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. The ITU race in Madrid is going to be a cracker with Olympic places up for grabs in the British and German camps and there are those who are using this race as a genuine tune up for the Worlds in Vancouver.
Without a doubt the athlete to watch in this race is Vanessa Fernandes. Sitting round the firstoffthebike.com offices, the general consensus is that the gold medal in Beijing is hers to lose, however the weight of talent in the field might suggest we're in for a close one. But Fernandes has not been beaten in Madrid since 2003 and looks very eager to maintain this record. The girl can run like nothing else but the tough bike course will suit the chasers (take a look at our earlier look at Vanessa Fernandes' form). Australian Olympian Erin Densham will be on the start line in a good test of her form. Densham, a somewhat controversial inclusion into the Aussie lineup, will want to be in the front group to build confidence leading into August. England's Holly Avil is also one to watch in this battle.
The men's event will be a chance for Javier Gomez to make up for what can only be described as a disastrous Euro Championship. Gomez will be looking to lay the smackdown in this one or risk losing the aura of someone who takes a lot to beat. Gomez took second in Madrid last year after a fierce battle with Czech Filip Ospaly. Gomez, while known as a force in ITU racing, has an air of vulnerability about him this season and this will give heart to his competitors. Look out for Tim Don who will be trying to grab a spot on the British Olympic team. Don would start as a gold medal favorite, if, he can get on the team. He should be out in front for this one and take the win.
This week we will dispense with the podium predictions to say that it will be a Tim Don, Vanessa Fernandes double. Check in with www.firstoffthebike.com on Monday to see how this unfolded.
