ITU World Cup season continues in Huatulco

Final World Cup event within the Olympic Qualification period set for Mexico this weekend

Published: May 1, 2012 at 3:59 pm

The third round of the ITU World Cup season returns to Huatulco this year, for the final world cup event within the Olympic Qualification period. It's the fifth year that Huatulco has hosted a World Cup event and it's one of the toughest courses, with a technical and steep hill.

This year, both the Elite Women's and Men's races are highlighted by athletes chasing those valuable Olympic qualifying points and a breakthrough World Cup win. South Africa's Gillian Sanders and Argentina's Gonzalo Raul Tellechea will wear the respective No.1 for the first time in an ITU World Cup, while the other contenders are a mix of rising stars and veterans. Read the full preview here.

ABOUT THE RACE: Huatulco is celebrating its fifth straight year on the ITU World Cup calendar and its quickly become an athlete favourite thanks to its scenic but tough course, that includes tough hills on both the bike and run.

In its first year, Kiwis swept the podium thanks to Kris Gemmell and Samantha Warriner. In 2009 Matt Chrabot (USA) and Ai Ueda (JPN) both claimed their first ITU World Cup wins here. In 2010, Ueda defended her title while the eventual 2010 ITU World Champion Javier Gomez (ESP) took out the men's race. In 2011, Chrabot became the first man to win two titles here, while Juri Ide kept the women's title in Japan.

SCHEDULE:

Elite Women - Sunday 6 May - 8:00 (UTC/GMT -5) Click here for time in your area

Elite Men - Sunday 6 May - 10:45 (UTC/GMT -5) Click here for time in your area

WEBSITES:

www.triathlon.org

www.asdeporte.com