The world’s top triathletes take to the start line for the fifth time this year as the Groupe Copley World Triathlon Montreal gets the second half of the 2019 season underway on Saturday afternoon. And at the same time but of Friday, the world’s top paratriathletes start their road to Tokyo 2020 Paralympics in Montreal, host of the third stop of the 2019 World Paratriathlon Series which marks the start of the qualification period for the Paralympics. Let’s hear what some of the athletes competing this weekend in Montreal had to say.
Georgia Taylor-Brown
On her win three weeks ago in WTS Leeds: “The fact that it is so close to my home town made it so special, because my friends and family were there. The crowds were amazing made the whole race a fantastic experience for me”.
On what has she changed in the last few months on her training: “I haven’t change anything really, is just that I am enjoying it more. I have now a lot of confidence on my training, I am training really well lateely, so really confident on what I can do in the future.
Joanna Brown
On what it means for her to compete in Montreal: “I am from quite close to Montreal, so this is also a very special race for me, cause my family and friends will be here to watch me race. And I also really like this course. Is hard, but I like the hills and the technical parts on the bike course. I think the athletes like it and the spectators will like it as well”.
On finishing in 4th place twice here in WTS Montreal: “I have finished in fourth place two years in a row, but I really hope that I can perform at my best this weekend so I can improve that 4th place. I will do my best”.
On things she needs to improve on her road to Tokyo 2020 Olympics. “I need to focus on swim, bike and run. I need to keep elevating myself on every area. Triathlon is now a sport where you can not have any weakness. I need to continuo to work on my confidence and take it from there”.
Alexis Lepage
On how it is to compete in front of friends and family. “I am super excited with this race, is always great to compete in front of a home crowd”.
On the podium he got in Chengdu World Cup a couple of months ago: “It has been a significant change on my confidence, I now think that I can do it, and I hope that that performance a couple of months ago will be of help now in Montreal and I can execute a good race this Saturday.”
Stefan Daniel
On his thoughts heading into this race: “I am very excited. Is the best field I am facing in months, so it will be a very good race. And also the course is really attractive, we are competing in a Formula 1 circuit, which is something very unique and special. I think is going to be a really good race”.
Kamille Frenette
On her podium last year in WPS Edmonton: “It is a competition in Canada, so compete in front of a home crowd gives you a lot of energy. I really look forward to it”.
Having such a competitive field here: “Been able to compete against the best in the world is super exciting and also great”.