Beijing Pre-race Press Conference Highlights

by Nicola Hargreaves on 08 Sep, 2011 03:25 • Español

Returning to the 2008 Beijing Olympic course brings back memories at the official pre-race press conference for the 2011 Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Grand Final Beijing.

Defending world champions Emma Moffatt (AUS) and Javier Gomez (ESP) along with current series leaders Helen Jenkins (GBR) and Alistair Brownlee (GBR) as well as China’s top triathlete, Beijing Olympian Zhang Yi were all on hand to answer questions from the media.

The president of the International Triathlon Union and member of the IOC, Marisol Casado and Deputy Director of Beijing Sports Competitive Centre Hai Zhenwen also presented at the press conference.

Emma Moffatt
On returning to Beijing:
“I have great memories of Beijing and the Olympics, so I’d love to leave this weekend with more great memories. I haven’t had the best season, but I’ve been feeling pretty good the last few weeks in training, so I would be really happy to leave Beijing with a good result.”

Javier Gomez
On returning to Beijing:
“I feel good to come back to Beijing, this is my fourth time. I have really good memories from 2006 and 2007 and also good ones from 2008 at the Games. It’s a course that I like it’s a good place to do triathlon and I’m looking forward to the race and giving my best.”

On regaining his position as number one in the world:
“Yes I have a lot of confidence to try, I know that is not easy but I will go out there and give my best. I was world champion last year and even though the time following the Olympic Games wasn’t great for me I think I overcame that. I’ve been training and doing my best in races so let’s see how Saturday goes

On whether Alistair Brownlee is his strongest competitor:
“If you see the results over the last couple of years I would say so, I think Alistair and his brother Jonathon are showing a really good level so right now they are the ones to beat for all the other athletes. But you never know in a one day race anything can happen and there are many talented athletes so you cannot just worry about one or two and just try to be better than all the others and that’s not easy.”

Helen Jenkins
On differences between the 2012 London Olympic course and the 2008 Beijing Olympic course:
“The two courses are very different. This course in Beijing is good for all round strong athletes, you need to be good at all three disciplines. Whereas the course in London this year for the women was a lot about the run, but then in the men Alistair made a breakaway on the bike, so you do have to be strong for both events. I’m not sure which one I prefer, I like both.”

On leading the series by 200 points:
“I’m not sure if I can win my second world championship title, there are a lot of good girls here, but I’m going to try my best. This is a really good course with a good hill on the bike. I didn’t race so well at Beijing in the Olympics, so I’d like to have a good race to put that to rest.”

Alistair Brownlee
On whether Beijing’s course suits him:
“I think it’s a great course here in Beijing. I raced here three years ago when I felt a lot younger, so the course looks a lot smaller now, but it’s good to be back. I think the conditions may be a little different this time round and it is a hard course that I think suits you if you’re fit and having a good day.”

Zhang Yi
On competing on home soil:
“It is a great honour to take part in this event and I am also feeling confident racing in my home country. I feel a little disappointed that I did not do my best in the Beijing Olympics, so I hope that I can perform to the best of my ability here.”

Marisol Casado, ITU President
“We are delighted to come back to the Olympic site and we are all very emotional because it is a fantastic venue and it is still as good three years later. I think this legacy is very, very important. I would like to thank the local organising committee and CTSA (China Triathlon Sports Association) for not only preparing a wonderful event, but also our annual general assembly.”

The 2011 Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Grand Final Beijing elite men’s race starts at 12:35 on Saturday September 10 and the women’s begins at 13:35 on Sunday September 11.

Article tags press conference javier gomez helen jenkins emma moffatt beijing alistair brownlee

Article gallery

Related Event: 2011 Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship Grand Final Beijing

09 - 11 Sep, 2011 • event page • all results

Results: Elite Women
1.	Andrea Hansen	NZL	01:58:26
2.	Helen Jenkins	GBR	01:58:40
3.	Melanie Hauss	SUI	01:58:58
4.	Lisa Norden	SWE	01:59:00
5.	Laura Bennett	USA	01:59:02

Results: Elite Men
1.	Alistair Brownlee	GBR	01:48:07
2.	Sven Riederer	SUI	01:48:14
3.	Jonathan Brownlee	GBR	01:48:17
4.	Dmitry Polyanskiy	AIN	01:48:20
5.	Laurent Vidal	FRA	01:48:24

Results: U23 Men
1.	Matthew Sharp	GBR	01:52:12
2.	David McNamee	GBR	01:52:17
3.	Thomas Bishop	GBR	01:52:19
4.	Greg Billington	USA	01:52:38
5.	Franz Löschke	GER	01:53:01

Results: U23 Women
1.	Agnieszka Jerzyk	POL	02:07:07
2.	Zsófia Kovács	HUN	02:07:08
3.	Rebecca Robisch	GER	02:07:14
4.	Kaitlin Donner	USA	02:07:18
5.	Yuliya Yelistratova	UKR	02:07:30

Results: Junior Men
1.	Lukas Verzbicas	USA	00:56:21
2.	Justus Nieschlag	GER	00:56:54
3.	Tony Smoragiewicz	USA	00:56:59
4.	Ron Darmon	ISR	00:57:06
5.	Matt Brown	AUS	00:57:11

Results: Junior Women
1.	Mikayla Nielsen	NZL	01:03:40
2.	Ashlee Bailie	AUS	01:03:42
3.	Hanna Philippin	GER	01:03:47
4.	Eszter Pap	HUN	01:04:02
5.	Kelly Whitley	USA	01:04:12

Coverage of 2011 Beijing Grand Final
Coverage of the 2011 Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Grand Final Beijing allows athletes, friends and family alike to follow all the action.
10:21 - 07 Sep, 2011
Beijing Elite Women's Preview: Is Helen Jenkins on her way to her second World Title?
Helen Jenkins is in the drivers seat to win her second ITU World Championship, can anyone beat her to it in the women's Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series Grand Final. Find out here.
09:53 - 06 Sep, 2011
Beijing Elite Men's Preview: A Brownlee one-two or will Gomez spoil the party?
The 2011 ITU World Champion could be Alistair Brownlee, Jonathan Brownlee or Javier Gomez, but who has the advantage at the 2011 Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Series Beijing Grand Final? Find out here.
09:25 - 06 Sep, 2011
Overall Beijing preview: What to watch out for and why
There are over a hundred ITU World Championships on offer next week in Beijing, from age-group, junior, Under23, elite, paratriathlon and aquathlon, so how to make sure you don't miss any? We've made it easy here.
11:35 - 01 Sep, 2011