Aussies set their sights on the New Plymouth World Cup

Why it matters: The 2023 New Plymouth Triathlon World Cup is an important event for Australian triathletes to score points to qualify for the Paris Test event in mid-August and the Olympics later in the year.

Setting the pace: Jake Birtwhistle will lead a team of five Australians, including 2019 New Plymouth winner Luke Willian, Brandon Copeland, Callum McClusky, and Oscar Dart, into the race. Matt Hauser, Australia’s number one performer from the 2022 World Triathlon Series, will not participate due to an illness he suffered during the opening WTS race in Abu Dhabi.

What they are saying:

• Birtwhistle is hoping to carry on his good form after winning the Devonport Oceania Cup.
• McClusky sees the New Plymouth World Cup as the first big race of the season and wants to qualify for the Paris Test event.
• Copeland aims to put together the first half of his run in Abu Dhabi with the second half of his Devonport run to have a decent run in New Plymouth.
• Hauser had to withdraw from the event because he hasn't fully recovered from his illness in Abu Dhabi.

Between transition: Birtwhistle, McClusky, Copeland, and Dart are recovering after the Devonport Oceania Cup before getting straight back into another sprint race in New Plymouth.

Through The Times:

1. Javier Gomez: had immense success at the New Plymouth Triathlon World Cup, winning the event in 2008, 2009, and 2011. He also finished second in 2010 and 2012.
2. Simon Whitfield: The Canadian triathlete won the New Plymouth Triathlon World Cup in 2003 and 2004.
3. Brad Kahlefeldt: The Australian triathlete won the New Plymouth Triathlon World Cup in 2006 and 2007.
4. Bevan Docherty: The New Zealand triathlete won the New Plymouth Triathlon World Cup in 2005 and 2010.

The bottom line: The New Plymouth Triathlon World Cup is an important race for Australian triathletes to gain points for the Paris Test event and the Olympics.