As the dust settles on the Winter Triathlon series, the opening race of the European season is immediately upon us and takes place this weekend in Quarteira, Portugal.
2012 is such an important year and every single ITU Ranking Point counts for those who wish to compete in London at the Olympic Games.
Not only that but this race offers the only chance for athletes to compete on European soil before the European Championships in Eilat next month.
Quarteira has an exciting Triathlon pedigree and this is the 11th edition of this race. Secretary General of the Portugese Federation David Vaz said: “The mentor of this project was Professor Carlos Gravata, but he unfortunately died before the race got its international status in 2009.
“This is the reason why the race is called “XI Triatlo Prof. Carlos Gravata.
'The main goal of this race is to present all of the European Triathlon community with the excellent, natural (especially the weather) and built facilities for competing and training in Quarteira.'
There have been little amendments to the course here in Quarteira.
The swim course will be made in the Atlantic with temperatures nearing 17 ° C. The 6.67km bike lap is quick and fast, with just one short steep climb and three 180º narrow turns.
The 2.5km run course extends itself along the sea.
Elite Men Preview
Last year's winner Vincent Luis (FRA - pictured above) returns to defend his title as does Danylo Sapunov, who made third place last year.
Spain's Mario Mola started the year well with 4th place finish in Mooloobala last weekend and he won here in 2010.
Athletes who impressed last year and will be keen to make a strong start in 2012 include Etienne Diemunsch (FRA - World Duathlon Champion), Alessandro Fabien (ITA) and home athletes Bruno Pais, João Pereira and Joao Silva.
Silva in particular is a 3x U23 European Champion and made a stunning breakthrough at the ITU World Series in Yokohama last year.
Elite Women Preview
Like so many of last year's races the Women's race is wide open. Agnieszka Jerzyk (POL) earned a third place podium position here last year and will be a contender again.
Irina Abysova (RUS) and Yulia Yelistratova (UKR) were incredibly consistent in 2011, earning 2nd and 3rd place respectively on the European Rankings.
Daniele Chmet (ITA) and Aileen Morrison (IRE) are also ones to look out for.
Junior European Cup
On Sunday April 1st, the young guns of the European Triathlon community will also compete in their season's opener.
European and World Duathlon Champion and 3x 2011 European Junior Cup winner, Matthias Steinwandter (ITA) will be dangerous as will Jelle Geens (BEL) - the top ranking European Junior male athlete of 2011.
Across 15 European events there were no fewer than 13 different winners in the Female Juniors category.
An incredible set of results which highlights the depth of talent emerging from the female pool and each competitor will be desperate to start the year in form.
RACE INFORMATION:
QUARTEIRA EUROPEAN CUP: SATURDAY, 31ST MARCH
1500m swim/ 40km bike/ 10km run
Elite Men Start List, 1630 start (local time)
Elite Women Start List, 1345 start
QUARTEIRA JUNIOR EUROPEAN CUP: SUNDAY, 1ST APRIL
750m swim/ 20km bike/ 5km run
Junior Men Start List, 0845 start
Junior Women Start List, 0945 start
The Portugese Federation will have live timings of the race along with twitter updates and five cameras to produce a live feed.
Follow the Portugese Federation on Twitter @triatlopt
The Live Feed and Timings can be viewed on raceday at the Portugese Federation website www.federacao-triatlo.pt