The 2018 ITU World Cup is back on the coastline of Mooloolaba this weekend and athletes are fired up to race. With many athletes looking for a strong test, ahead of next month’s Commonwealth Games, the competition among the field is expected to be tough from the start. Athletes are also getting a feel for the Queensland landscape ahead of the Grand Final on the Gold Coast later this year.

Richard Murray (RSA)
On his previous memories of Mooloolaba: “Good memories here but I remember it being a tough course. There’s a strong field here with a lot of the younger guys moving through.”

On the season ahead: “With the preparation moving towards the Commonwealth Games the plan is to head over to Wanaka, New Zealand, for a training camp. The preparation is going well and my body is in good shape so it should be a good race here this weekend.There’s a lot of travel this year compared to other years, I will be coming back to Australia 3 times this year. It’s a great place to race and train.”

Vanessa Fernandes (POR)
On her connection with Mooloolaba: “I have a great connection with Mooloolaba. I have great thoughts about this World Cup and it’s a pleasure to be here again. I decided to come over to Australia for a while to train and compete in this World Cup.It’s a new start. Everything you do in life you need to be having fun otherwise why would you be doing it.”

On tomorrow’s race plan: “I think tomorrow we need to be present in the moment and out our own energy in that moment so tomorrow I will be doing that – and to enjoy the race. When I am on the bike tomorrow, I know what I will need to do. Today is today and tomorrow is tomorrow. I know it will be a tough race across the swim, bike and run. Tomorrow I will feel how I will be and make the move when I need to.”

Luke Willian (AUS)
Expectations of the defending champion: “It was a great start for the year to win here last year. I’ve probably got a couple of weeks before I am flying and racing at top speed.”

On the men’s field and his priority for 2018: “It’s a good field here and will be a good chance to test the legs and see where I am at and what else I have to do before the Commonwealth Games.”

Charlotte McShane (AUS)
On being back in Mooloolaba: “I jumped at the opportunity to race here and have another race in Australia. I wanted the opportunity to get some tough competition under my belt and Mooloolaba fits in perfectly with my preparation for the Commonwealth Games next month.”

Kirsten Casper (USA)
On racing in Mooloolaba and the conditions: “I am excited to be back here in Mooloolaba. I haven’t raced here since 2016 and I had a good go then to make it on the podium. I am hoping that I can finish on the podium again tomorrow. This is the one race of the year that we can experience the surf and it’s something we all look forward to. With the challenging bike course and the wind there’s a chance that we could all come off the bike together and it will all come down to the run. I am confident in my run so if it comes down to it I will put myself in it and see what I can do.”

Natalie Van Coevorden (AUS)
On last week’s first WTS podium: “I knew I had some really good form from early season training (Abu Dhabi) and I had a lot of focus”.

On her previous experiences in mooloolaba: “This is my 6th year racing Mooloolaba so I feel like a local. It hasn’t got any easier, the hill is just as hard but I am looking forward to tomorrow.”

Matthew Hauser (AUS)
On his first time racing here: “It will be great to get a surf swim under my belt tomorrow here at Mooloolaba, I am really looking forward to it. This is my first time in Mooloolaba and it will be good to get out there.”

Catch the action live
The elite women’s race will get underway in the 2018 Mooloolaba ITU Triathlon World Cup at 13:00 on Saturday March 10, while the elite men will follow at 15:00 local time.

Follow all of the action with live timing at triathlon.org/live and on twitter @triathlonlive.
Click here for the full women’s start list
Click here for the full men’s start list