GB team ready for the ITU Cross Triathlon World Champs

Published: May 17, 2012 at 8:30 am

The GE Great Britain Team races in the 2012 Shelby County ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships and XTERRA Southeast Championship this weekend (Saturday 19 May) with British athletes racing in both elite and age-group races.



There is a strong elite women’s field competing with 2011 XTERRA world champion, Lesley Paterson aiming to add an ITU Cross Triathlon medal to her collection. There will be tough competition for Lesley with each of the podium athletes from the inaugural ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships competing, including 2011 world champion Melanie McQuaid of Canada.



Lesley Paterson commented: "It’s a great course out here in Alabama with wonderful Southern hospitality. I am definitely feeling fit and ready for the race, although it’s tough to say whether this twisty and flat course will play to my strengths or weaknesses! I guess I will find out on Saturday!"



Paterson will be joined in the women’s elite field by Darrelle Parker, an athlete who has moved up to elite level after having won gold in the 2009 ETU Cross Triathlon European Championships in the 40-44 age-group category.



In the elite men’s field, Richard Stannard will compete having finished fifth in last year’s event in Extremadura. The 2011 ITU Aquathlon world champion, will be joined on the start line by 30-year-old Llewellyn Holmes.



Alongside elite athletes, the GE Great Britain Age-Group Team will also be in action with four British athletes racing including Amy Parkinson (30-34), Sian Turner (30-34), Andy Chatterton (50-54) and Nicholas Farnell (50-54).



Paul Thomas will also be racing in the Tri 3 paratriathlon category, aiming to once again step onto the podium having won bronze last year.