Read more
O.J. Simpson, all-American hero in sensational murder trial, dies at 76
Gomez, Brownlee favourites in Cape Town
A tussle for the spoils of the Cape Town leg of the ITU World Series on Sunday is expected between Britain's Jonathan Brownlee and Spanish world champion Javier Gomez.
File photo. Picture: AFP.
South African favourite and London Olympian Richard Murray will, however, be looking to the home-ground advantage to spoil the party in the second event in the ITU World Triathlon Series.
Sunday’s action over the 1500m harbour swim, 40km beach side bike and 10km run starts and finishes at the V&A Waterfront.
Current Olympic Champion Alistair Brownlee had to withdraw due to a calf strain which opened the door to his younger brother Jonathan and Gomez.
In the past five events where have competed against each other without Alistair on the start line it had been a one-two finish.
Jonathan won the Stockholm leg in 2012, before Gomez claimed the Grand Final title in Auckland in 2012 with a killer sprint.
In Yokohama and Madrid last year, Jonathan was on top, but Gomez re-claimed it in Auckland to start the 2014 season.
In possibly one of the best contests between the two, Gomez held on in another epic sprint to claim a history-making third ITU World Championship at last year’s Grand Final in London.
It seems that when it comes down to a sprint the Spaniard has the upper hand.
“It’s really special to be part of the first ever ITU World Triathlon on African soil,” Jonathan said.
“The course is a fast and flat one and it’s going to take a big push on the bike to get away from the big group before the run.”
Murray is the only African to have won a World Triathlon Series race, which he did in Hamburg in 2012 with scintillating run speed. On that day he got the better of Gomez.
While Murray is by far the most experienced South African on the start list, up-and-coming Henri Schoeman is known for his strong swim and bike.
The pair will be joined by Wian Sullwald, who is the only South African to have collected an ITU World Championship title, which he did in the men’s junior race in 2012.
Jonathan believed the South Africans must use the home-ground advantage.
“Racing on home soil does make a big difference,” he said.
“I remember how it helped me at the 2012 London Olympic Games. When you start to struggle big time, it’s the home crowd’s cheers that keep you going.
“I’m sure that Richard and the other South Africans are going to give their best and that they will take this opportunity for a big result.”
– Sapa
