21-08-2013, 04:46 PM
As the penultimate race of the 2013 World Triathlon Series itââ¬â¢s not surprising that the stars will turn out in Stockholm this weekend. Both the menââ¬â¢s and womenââ¬â¢s fields boast almost every athlete that is still within reach of claiming the 2013 WTS series titles and more who could still claim a place on the podium. Click here to view the current rankings. This year Stockholm is a full Olympic distance race, after it debuted on the circuit in 2012 with a sprint distance.
Elite Menââ¬â¢s Preview
With a stellar line-up that includes Alistair Brownlee, Jonathan Brownlee, Javier Gomez, Richard Murray and Sven Riederer, the elite menââ¬â¢s race promises to be one of the most hotly events contested all season. And when you then consider itââ¬â¢s the penultimate race in a fascinating 2013 World Triathlon Series season where the race for rankings points will loom almost as large as the race outcome, itââ¬â¢s must-watch action.
So far the 2013 season has been a rarity in that due to a late start to the season, neither Alistair Brownlee or Jonathan Brownlee has taken a lead in the overall rankings. Instead itââ¬â¢s been Gomez, Mario Mola and Joao Silva who have taken turns in the lead with super-consistent performances across the early part of the season, while Murray has also figured in the top-four to sit third in the rankings. The Brownlee brothers currently sit in fifth and sixth, with almost 600 points needed to overtake current leader Gomez. It is plenty to make up, with but extra points on offer in the London Grand Final, itââ¬â¢s still within reach. However donââ¬â¢t expect all those above them to be giving up their lead lightly, and Gomez is currently in the box seat to claim his third ITU World Championship.
But what does it mean for Stockholm? Well firstly doing well on the technical bike course, that comes complete with cobblestones in the old Gamla Stan area of Stockholm, could be key. As has been the case most of the season expect the Brownlees, Gomez and Riederer to be in a lead bunch and push the pace, and donââ¬â¢t be surprised if others like Alessandro Fabian, Ryan Sissons and Henri Schoeman are there with them. If they are close off the bike, the run will suit the likes of Murray, Laurent Vidal and Vincent Luis - who claimed his first WTS podium in the sprint event here last year.
And what about the chances of back to back Brownlee, Brownlee and Gomez podiums? So far in their ITU careers, the Brownlees and Gomez have raced against each other 13 times. Out of that 13, they have shared the podium four times. That doesnââ¬â¢t seem that foreboding until you unpick that those four came from the past five races they all hit the startline, across the past three years. The last two races that happened were a year apart, the London 2012 Olympic Games and the Hamburg sprint event this year. While the podium spots were slightly switched up in that time, it was still those three on top. Itââ¬â¢s also key to note that this year, no-one else but those three has actually won a WTS race.
Elite Menââ¬â¢s Preview
With a stellar line-up that includes Alistair Brownlee, Jonathan Brownlee, Javier Gomez, Richard Murray and Sven Riederer, the elite menââ¬â¢s race promises to be one of the most hotly events contested all season. And when you then consider itââ¬â¢s the penultimate race in a fascinating 2013 World Triathlon Series season where the race for rankings points will loom almost as large as the race outcome, itââ¬â¢s must-watch action.
So far the 2013 season has been a rarity in that due to a late start to the season, neither Alistair Brownlee or Jonathan Brownlee has taken a lead in the overall rankings. Instead itââ¬â¢s been Gomez, Mario Mola and Joao Silva who have taken turns in the lead with super-consistent performances across the early part of the season, while Murray has also figured in the top-four to sit third in the rankings. The Brownlee brothers currently sit in fifth and sixth, with almost 600 points needed to overtake current leader Gomez. It is plenty to make up, with but extra points on offer in the London Grand Final, itââ¬â¢s still within reach. However donââ¬â¢t expect all those above them to be giving up their lead lightly, and Gomez is currently in the box seat to claim his third ITU World Championship.
But what does it mean for Stockholm? Well firstly doing well on the technical bike course, that comes complete with cobblestones in the old Gamla Stan area of Stockholm, could be key. As has been the case most of the season expect the Brownlees, Gomez and Riederer to be in a lead bunch and push the pace, and donââ¬â¢t be surprised if others like Alessandro Fabian, Ryan Sissons and Henri Schoeman are there with them. If they are close off the bike, the run will suit the likes of Murray, Laurent Vidal and Vincent Luis - who claimed his first WTS podium in the sprint event here last year.
And what about the chances of back to back Brownlee, Brownlee and Gomez podiums? So far in their ITU careers, the Brownlees and Gomez have raced against each other 13 times. Out of that 13, they have shared the podium four times. That doesnââ¬â¢t seem that foreboding until you unpick that those four came from the past five races they all hit the startline, across the past three years. The last two races that happened were a year apart, the London 2012 Olympic Games and the Hamburg sprint event this year. While the podium spots were slightly switched up in that time, it was still those three on top. Itââ¬â¢s also key to note that this year, no-one else but those three has actually won a WTS race.