This Sunday, for the first time ever, the World Triathlon Series will be coming to the city of Leeds. The races are to feature \u00a0reigning Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee and both reigning world champions Javier Gomez and\u00a0Gwen Jorgensen.<\/p>\n
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The provisional line-up of elite women taking to the start pontoon in Roundhay Park at 1pm include two-time world champion Gwen Jorgensen of the USA, who will be taking on the Great Britain contingent headed by Leeds-based duo\u00a0Non Stanford\u00a0and\u00a0Vicky Holland.<\/p>\n
The strong Great Britain line-up also features\u00a0Jodie Stimpson, who is a world title contender after winning the season-opener in Abu Dhabi, Leeds\u2019 own Jess Learmonth and\u00a0Lucy Hall, who is also based in the city.<\/p>\n
The women\u2019s field also includes current 2016 Columbia Threadneedle Rankings Leader Flora Duffy of Bermuda and established frontrunners at world level Andrea Hewitt of New Zealand, Emma Moffatt of Australia and American Sarah True.<\/p>\n
The elite men race will begin at 3:45pm and all British eyes will be on hometown stars Alistair and\u00a0Jonathan Brownlee, as well as Leeds-based European Games Triathlon Champion\u00a0Gordon Benson, who has just been announced as the final member of the British Olympic triathlon squad\u00a0and\u00a0Tom Bishop, together with\u00a0Adam Bowden\u00a0in a five-strong team.<\/p>\n
Reigning and five-time world champion Spain\u2019s Javier Gomez will be making his first appearance in the series this season, as he begins his final preparations for Rio.<\/p>\n
Also in the men\u2019s line-up are French duo Dorian Coninx and Pierre Le Corre, Australia\u2019s Ryan Bailie and Aaron Royle, along with Richard Varga of Slovakia who trains in Leeds with the Brownlees. Switzerland\u2019s Sven Riederer and Russia\u2019s Polyanskiy brothers Igor and Dmitry also feature but South African star Richard Murray unfortunately misses out as he continues to recover from a broken collarbone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Chief Executive of British Triathlon Jack Buckner said: \u201cThe Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds has attracted a world-class field with the biggest names in the sport racing. The combination of great athletes, a challenging course and a fantastic home crowd for the Brits will create an incredible atmosphere. I can\u2019t wait for the 11 and 12 June to arrive \u2013 don\u2019t miss it.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a 1500-metre swim in Roundhay Park, the elites will cycle a 41.5km ride through Roundhay, Moortown, Meanwood, Weetwood, Headingley and Woodhouse before completing seven circuits of a city centre loop.<\/p>\n