Ahead of what promises to be the biggest race prior to the London Olympics, Alistair Brownlee, Nicola Spirig, Lisa Perterer and Andreas Giglmayr were on hand to talk to the media before the 2012 ITU World Triathlon Kitzbuehel.

The athletes, all happy to be back racing in Kitzbuehel, were warmly welcomed by Walter Zettinig, president of the Austrian Triathlon Federation and Peter Marko, Director of Kitzbuehel Tourism who expressed their pride at hosting such an impressive line-up ahead of London 2012.

Nicola Spirig (SUI)
On her current form:
“Training has been going really well and I hope it continues to go on this way. The London Olympics is what I am focused on right now. My training is revolved around London preparation, so I have not trained specifically for Kitzbuehel, but I have high expectations for this race. I have always enjoyed racing here in previous years and I will fight to run with the leaders.” 

Alistair Brownlee (GBR)
On returning to racing after Achilles tendon injury:
“It’s nice to be back in Kitzbuehel and it’s good to be back racing. I’ve had a lot of months of hard training now and the Achilles is all good. Maybe I’m not quite as fit as I’d like to be but there are still six weeks until the Olympic Games so that’s what is important this year.”

On the Kitzbuehel race:
“I think it’s the strongest field you can probably get this weekend in Kitbuehel with Jonny racing, Javier Gomez in the World Series for the first time along with a lot of other guys, so it’s going to be interesting race. Obviously I want to win the race but that’s what you always go into a race trying to do, but for me it’s just about doing a triathlon again. I’ve only done one short race so far this season and I wanted to do a proper competitive race before the Olympics so just to complete it, do everything right, get all the technical bits right that’s the most important thing for me.”

Andreas Giglmayr (AUT)
On his preparation for the race:
“I feel the same as Nicola, I am training for the Olympics, but Kitzbuehel is a really nice race, especially for a guy from Austria. I have been in Davos for altitude training and I’m highly motivated for this race and I will give everything.”

Lisa Perterer (AUT)
To be on the London 2012 starting line:
“It’s great, I’m really happy to be a part of the Olympic Games and my training is also focused on that. In Kitzbuehel I’m hoping for a top twenty finish.”

Racing begins with the elite women’s race at 3:06pm on Saturday 23 June, followed by the elite men at 3:06pm on Sunday 24 June. Follow every movement live through www.triathlonlive.tv. Follow on Twitter at twitter.com/triathlonlive.