Clarke relishes return to Hamburg
19th July 2012The ITU World Triathlon Series continues this weekend in Hamburg and hosts many of the leading contenders in the final race before the London 2012 Olympic Games. Britain’s Will Clarke returns to Hamburg having finished second last year.
Defending Olympic Champion, Jan Frodeno of Germany, will test his form over the sprint distance against former ITU World Champion, Javier Gomez (Spain). There’s a strong men’s field that includes the top-ranked Russians, Bryukhankov and Polyanskiy, and Britain’s Will Clarke, Tim Don, David McNamee, Adam Bowden and Aaron Harris.
The women’s race features Erin Densham and Emma Moffatt of Australia, who are highly fancied for success in London. Non Stanford is the highest ranked British woman in the event along with Vanessa Raw and Lois Rosindale.
Britain’s Will Clarke looks forward to a return to the race in which he finished second last year, and Tim Don will relish the prospect of boosting his world ranking. He is currently ranked 9th, but has been as high as second this season.
Will Clarke said: “Hamburg is definitely my favourite World Series race. I've always had my best races here, I love the city and I'm excited to compete against the London bound lads, and interested to see how different athletes are fairing.
“I've just been in Aix Les Bains in France training with the Australian team and my fitness is really getting there. Having finished second here last year, I'm hoping I can leave the city with another good result!
“After this it’s a big block of training and a trip to support TeamGB in London.”
Non Stanford, who is also looking forward to watching the triathlon events in Hyde Park on 4 and 7 August, said: “This will be the first time I’ve raced in Hamburg. I've heard great things; everyone raves about the crowds and fantastic atmosphere.
“I've had a tough few weeks, but training has been going surprisingly well this last week and I'm looking forward to seeing where I'm at.”
Britain’s Team GB triathletes have opted to complete their final preparations from their training bases in Switzerland and the UK.
British athletes in Hamburg:
Adam Bowden
Will Clarke
Tim Don
Aaron Harris
David McNamee
Vanessa Raw
Lois Rosindale
Non Stanford