Six athletes sat on the athlete panel to preview their form and expectations leading into the SUBARU Mooloolaba ITU Triathlon World Cup on Australia’s Sunshine Coast.

Laurent Vidal(FRA)

Previewing the field and the event:
“It is a pleasure to be back here every year. The weather is outstanding and it is going to be a great race.”

“I think the smaller field is going to make the race harder because on race day you can rely a little bit on numbers but when the numbers are a little smaller it means a little more work is needed.”

What’s next:
“I am heading towards Rio. I will need to work hard and change the way I train and race to make myself that little bit better.”

On the river swim start:
“We have to respect the call of Surf life Saving Australia and if they say it is too dangerous to swim in the ocean then it’s not even a question. Safety comes before everything else.”

Andrea Hewitt (NZL)

Previewing the race and her form:
“I go into every race to win, I wouldn’t be here unless I took it seriously.”

What’s next:
“I will look forward to the Commonwealth Games next year and will see from there what is next.”

Javier Gomez (ESP)

On the race ahead and previewing his form:
“It’s the first ITU race of the season and you never know what to expect. I am in the middle of a big training block with lots of base training.

“This will be my fourth time racing here in Mooloolaba and I am really looking forward to it.”

Anne Haug (GER)

On the race ahead and the conditions here in Mooloolaba:
“I love racing in hot conditions so the weather here suits me perfectly so I am looking forward to it.

“I don’t really know what to expect going into this race. My aim will be to have fun and do my best.”

On whether last season gives her more confidence, including Grand Final win:
“After last season it’s going to be very hard to top it. I will just do whatever it takes to do my best.”

Peter Kerr (AUS)

On his form, season so far and going into his first ITU race:
“Training has been fantastic; the weather in Victoria has been sensational. Everything is going really well.

“The premium for me is to absolutely win races and be on the podium.”

On the field in Mooloolaba:
“There are a number of Australians on the start line. I am hoping to put myself in the mix. It’s an open field. We can only hope that Javier (Gomez) has had a very hard training block and his legs are dead – he is certainly a class athlete.

“It will really come down to who does that course without taking too much out of them.”

What’s next:
“I am looking to take that next step and Commonwealth Games and Rio are definitely in my sights.”

Emma Moffatt (AUSTRALIA)

On the race ahead:
“I have done this race quite a few times and I have never stood on top of the podium so it’s definitely a goal of mine, it’s something that most Australians want to do as it’s one of our biggest triathlons.

“Mooloolaba is always a nice start to the season.”

Racing begins in Mooloolaba with the elite men’s race at 3:00pm on Saturday 16 March, followed by the elite women at 12:45 on Sunday 17 March. Live text coverage will be available on www.triathlon.org and on twitter @triathlonlive

Format:
Swim       1 lap swim (1.5km)
Cycle       7 laps. Mooloolaba Esplanade (40km)
Run       4 laps. Mooloolaba Esplanade (10km)