Athletes chat ahead of #WTSAbuDhabi

With the World Triathlon Abu Dhabi kicking off the 2015 WTS season in two days, athletes met with media ahead of season opener to talk about the city’s debut on the calendar, pre-race preparation and their expectations.

Javier Gomez Noya
On racing in Abu Dhabi
I haven’t seen the course yet, but I think it’s going to be very well organized. It’s the first race of the year, you never know what to expect really, but I’m looking forward to it.

On getting an early win
It’s always good if you stop positively. It makes you more confident the rest of the year. But it’s a long season and this is the first race of many. Especially this year qualifying for the Olympic Games. You need to be really fit towards the end especially the Grand Final in Chicago. It’s good to see how fit you are here after many months of not racing.

Jonathan Brownlee
On being back in Abu Dhabi
I actually raced here 12 months ago. It was a very, very different race then. It lasted almost four hours, whereas this race is going to be fast and furious. It’s great to be here. If triathlon wants to grow as a sport it has to come to places like here.

On his hopes for 2015
2014 wasn’t my finest year. It wasn’t very consistant. I think I did a bit too much training and got over tired. Hopefully I’ve got it right this year. It’s a shot race, so anything can happen which makes it exciting.

Sarah True (nee Groff)
On the temperature
Emirates is known as a great supporter of sporting events. Non-draft triathlon has enjoyed successful events here, so I’m excited to join our non-drafting brethren to be able to have an event here. Unlike Gwen, as of a month ago I was in snow. It’s a sprint distance race so I don’t think the environment will affect the race too much, but it could.

Gwen Jorgensen
On the race environment
It’s my first time in Abu Dhabi. I’m looking forward to going out there and racing. So far everything has gone really smoothly and it’s good to be here.
It’s hot here and could be really windy. I’ve been training in some heat in Australia, so that will hopefully be to my benefit. If there is high winds and heat that could definitely affect the field. It will be exciting.