The European Triathlon circuit makes its annual pilgrimage to Geneva this weekend, one of the most popular venues of the season.
Since 2002, a European Cup race has been held on the shores of Lake Geneva for this Olympic distance 1500m swim, 40k bike, 10k run race.
Geneva will also host the 2015 ETU European Championships.
Both start lists contain a mixture of youth and experience and this will make for some interesting battles out on course.
In the Elite Women’s race, the two previous winners, Sarissa De Vries (NED) and Felicity Sheedy-Ryan (AUS), go head to head.
Sheedy-Ryan, the winner in 2011, warmed up for this race with a solid 8th place finish in Palamos last week. Defending Champion De Vries’ only other European outing this year came in Quarteira at the beginning of the season where she finished 10th.
Last year’s runner up Anne Tabarant (FRA) also returns with the goal of going one better and claiming a first career victory.
Switzerland’s hopes of a home winner may lie with Celine Schaerer. The 23 year-old finished 3rd here last year, an improvement on 2011’s 4th place.
In her last European outing in Holten, Schaerer was going well amongst the lead group on the bike until problems with her chain cost her valuable time and she eventually finished in a credible 11th position.
In the Elite Men’s race, a new name will be added to the winner’s list and with such a strong and competitive field it is anyone’s race.
Raoul Shaw (FRA) and Danylo Dapunov (UKR) were second and third respectively last year and both return in 2013.
Yegor Martynenko (UKR) has struggled to build on his breakthrough season of 2011 but a 3rd place finish in Palamos last weekend could be the result he needs to get that winning mentality back.
The young and dynamic duo of Jelle Geens (BEL) and Marc Austin (GBR) will be watched cautiously by there more experienced counterparts and deserve to be considered as genuine contenders.
Geens was runner up in the U23 European Championship In Holten and Austin is the European Junior Champion.
For live updates across the weekend visit the official International Triathlon De Geneve website or https://www.facebook.com/tig2012
RACE INFORMATION
Sunday, 21st July
Elite Women Start List – 0945 start (local time)
Elite Men Start List – 1215 start
