Some fresh, promising names are vying for the world cup title as well as Olympic qualification points for their countries in the women's field: Emma Jackson (AUS) is 2010 ITU Under23 World Champion while Emmie Charayron (FRA) claimed bronze in the same Under23 World Championships last year and was a surprising runner-up at the 2010 Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship Madrid. However, the strongest contenders are veteran Liz Blatchford (GBR), Sarah Haskins (USA) and Ai Ueda (JPN), winner of two World Cups and last year's Monterrey runner-up.
About the race:
Monterrey first appeared in the ITU race calendar in 2008 hosting the ITU Aquathlon World Championships. This marks the second straight year that Monterrey has hosted a World Cup event. Last year Paula Findlay (CAN) and Joao Silva (POR) won the respective women's and men's races to establish themselves as stars of the future. Located at the base of the Sierre Madre Mountains, Monterrey is situated in northeastern Mexico and has the second largest population after Mexico City. The race takes place within Fundidora Park, one of the city's most famous landmark.
SCHEDULE:
Elite women start - Sunday, May 8 - 8:30am (UTC/GMT -6)
Elite men start - Sunday, May 8 - 11:30am (UTC/GMT -6)
START LIST:
LIVE COVERAGE:
Follow @triathlonlive on Twitter for live text updates on the race day.
TOTAL PRIZE MONEY:
$50,000 USD (equal for men & women)
COURSE PROFILE:
Swim - One-lap, 1.5k swim in canal
Bike - Eight-lap, 40k bike on flat course
Run - Four-lap, 10k run on flat layout
STORIES TO WATCH FOR:
Wide Open Women's Field - Liz Blatchford (GBR), who finished 7th and 8th in strong fields in Mooloolaba and Sydney respectively, has scored marginally better this season than other contenders in the field. But Ai Ueda (JPN) is not to be counted out as she races particularly well in Mexico. Ueda finished second in Monterrey last year and owns back-to-back ITU World Cup titles in Huatulco in 2010 and 2009. Other contenders to watch for include Sarah Haskins (USA), 2010 ITU Under23 World Champion Emma Jackson (AUS) and rising French star Emmie Charayron (FRA).
