Injury may have blighted the second half of Jodie Stimpson’s season, but the triathlon star is raring to get her new campaign off to the perfect start when the 2017 ITU World Triathlon Series gets underway this weekend.
Last season’s opener in Abu Dhabi saw Stimpson clinch the coveted title, with British team-mate Helen Jenkins taking bronze, and Stimpson will be hoping for more of the same when the WTS returns to the country with Friday’s women’s race.
This year’s race in the UAE will see athletes take to a brand new course, which will stretch over the Formula 1 Grand Prix route.
Having stormed to glory in Abu Dhabi, 28-year-old Stimpson went on to win the World Cup event in Mooloolaba before getting on the WTS podium once more in Cape Town.
Much to her devastation, an Achilles injury sustained in September cut short Stimpson’s season, but following a change in coach and a first winter season spent in the UK for eight years, she’s back to her best and eager to get back to winning ways.
“As an athlete, you try to prepare the best you can for each race,” said the 2014 Commonwealth Games champion.
“This new course will definitely be a test, technically, for all athletes. You really have to be very on it on the bike course.
“There’s definitely a few changes for me. There’s been a chance coach-wise, a few challenges and a lot of learning for myself in training in a completely different way.
“Really positive changes, and I’m really looking forward to the race.”
Joining Stimpson in the women’s race will be India Lee while Jenkins will miss the whole season as she is pregnant.
Rio bronze medallist Vicky Holland and Team GB team-mate Non Stanford will sit out the opening race, while Olympic gold and silver medallists Alistair and Jonny Brownlee will both be absent from Saturday’s men’s race, with Jonny set to make his WTS return on Australia’s Gold Coast in April.
In the men's race, Adam Bowden, Tom Bishop, Marc Austin and Grant Sheldon will look to lay down a marker for the eight-race series.
Sportsbeat 2017