It’s been 230 days since the dust settled on the final European Cup race of 2013 and now the waiting is finally over as European athletes descend on Portugal for the 2014 ETU European Cup opener in Quarteira.
Now in its sixth year, the Quarteira European Cup once again has the privilege of getting the season underway and an experienced start line means this race has all the makings of a classic.
With a ETU European Junior Cup also taking place this weekend, we can’t wait for the action to begin and Nuno Dias, Director General of the Portuguese Triathlon Federation, is looking forward to raceday. He said: 'It's definitely a great privilege for the Federation to welcome the first ETU race of the season. We feel that hosting the inaugural event is always an additional challenge for the organisers but we're confident that the wonderful weather expected for the weekend, the enthusiastic crowds, and the great line in all races should result in an exhilarating triathlon event.'
Dias is also confident that the Portuguese athletes will give the home crowd something to shout about. 'We have a few experienced athletes competing in Quarteira. In the men's race, Miguel Arraiolos is one of our top athletes. He had a couple of good races this season and finished 2nd behind João Pereira, in our first (and only) national triathlon this season. He finished in the top 25 in London's World Triathlon Series last year. We also have a couple of good swimmers amongst our athletes, like Pedro Gaspar and Pedro Mendes that could help for a fast group out from the water.'
'As for the women's elite race we have a few talented athletes emerging from the Junior ranks. Namely, Melanie Santos, the winner form the 2012 Junior race. The 2013 Portuguese triathlon champion - Ana Filipa Santos - will also be competing.'
ETU European Cup
Two of last year's podium finishers, Vicente Hernandez (ESP) and Aurelien Raphael (FRA), return to Quarteira in 2014. Both will be confident of improving their position this year and taking home the gold medal. The first race of the season is always a lottery but there are a number of exciting young athletes competing at elite level who will be worth keeping an eye on such as Gordon Benson (GBR), 2013 Junior European Champion Dorian Coninx (FRA) and Jelle Geens (BEL)
In the Women’s race, Non Stanford (GBR) won here last year and went on to win the ITU World Championship title – will similar fortune await this year’s winner?
Anne Tabarant (FRA) has three podium finishes in European Cup races but has yet to win a gold medal. Could she break her duck here? Her compatriot and former European Champion, Emmie Charayron (FRA) will also be looking for the perfect start to the year. Melanie Santos (POR), a Junior winner here in 2012, is one to watch
ETU European Junior Cup
Laura Lindemann (GER), whose debut season resulted in one Junior Cup victory (Antalya), a silver medal at the European Championships (Alanya) and a bronze medal at the Junior World Championships (London), will be an even stronger and more experienced competitor this time around.
Angelica Olmo (ITA) also made an impressive breakthrough last year with two top ten finishes, including third place at the European Championships, and she will hopeful of continuing her progress.
In the Junior Men’s race, Con Doherty (IRL) finished 3rd last year and has the pedigree to dominate this race here. Antonio Serrat Seoane (ESP) finished just outside the podium places last year and that experience should serve him well here.
RACE INFORMATION:
ETU European Cup – Saturday 12th April, 2013
Elite Women Start List – 1345 start (local time – WEST)
Elite Men Start List – 1630 start
ETU Junior European Cup – Sunday 13th April, 2013
Junior Women Start List – 0845 start
Junior Men Start List – 1000 start
Live streaming of the race, alongside live timing, will be available on the Portuguese Triathlon Federation website on race day here.
