Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Triathlon team hope to extend their good form into the ninth Quelle Challenge in Roth and the ITU World Championship in Hamburg this weekend.
Captain of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority-backed outfit, Faris Al Sultan — widely regarded as one of the world's top endurance cyclists — indicated he would look to build upon three recent European wins in Ingolstadt (Germany), Kirchbichl and Tage de Wahrheit (Austria), with a good showing in a celebrity relay cycling team at Roth on July 18.
The German/Iraqi said he hoped participation would stand him in good stead for the August 1 Regensburg Ironman event, where he's favourite for top laurels.
"This will serve as a venue for me to try and test everything — from equipment to nutrition — so that I am fully prepared for the Ironman event," said Al Sultan, the 2005 Ironman World Champion.
World record-holding cross-channel swimmer Christof Wandratsch, is also scheduled to travel to Roth as part of a relay set-up in a team that include Philipp Goergen and triple Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge champion, Elina Ussher.
Pete Jacobs, runner-up at Roth for the last two years, and Swen Sundberg who finished seventh in 2008, will be looking for individual honours in the full triathlon: a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42km run.
In Hamburg, for the ITU World Championships on July 17, Dutchman Jan Van Berkel, winner of this year's inaugural Abu Dhabi International triathlon short course, indicated he would be aiming for a good result as he pushed for an Olympic spot.
Top 20 finish
"My strategy in Hamburg would be to try to come out of the water in a good position so that I can get on the bike in the first group, which should assure me a top 20 finish," said Van Berkel, a short-course expert. "If everything goes perfectly, a top 10 finish could be possible," he said.
Team Abu Dhabi have indicated they plan to compete in more than 40 top international events this season including Ironman, 70.3 and the French Championships.