Triathlon: Changing of guard for Spain

Javier Gomez has excelled in Auckland. Photo / Sarah Ivey

It would surprise few to see a Spaniard stand atop the podium after today's world triathlon series race in Auckland.

The identity of that Spaniard, though, is a little less predictable.

Three-times defending champion Javier Gomez is, for once, not the top-ranked athlete for this afternoon's race. That honour belongs to compatriot Mario Mola, after he took out the season-opening sprint event in Abu Dhabi earlier in the month.

Gomez, along with Great Britain's Brownlee brothers, has long been setting the standard in triathlon but with the twilight of his career approaching, Mola looks set to continue carrying Spanish hopes in the sport.

The 25-year-old showed his pedigree last year, winning in London before finishing second behind Gomez in overall standings. And Mola repeated that form to open the new season, racing away on the run in Abu Dhabi as Gomez struggled with injury to finish sixth.

"It was a good way to start the season but, it's only the beginning," Mola said. "I need to keep fit, healthy and training as good as possible. That's what I've been trying to do so hopefully I can put in a good race."

With an ankle injury keeping Alistair Brownlee from the Auckland startline, brother Jonathan appears the only man capable of stopping the Spaniards, but Mola rejected the suggestion it was a three-horse race.

"There are 63 or 64 other athletes who want to do their best and change the race," he said. "But Javier and the Brownlees have been putting the bar really high in the last few years.

"It's going to be hard from the beginning and I have to try and be as close as possible to the front."

Gomez knows that feeling well, with the four-time world champion unbeaten in Auckland in the last three years. It's understandable, then, that the 32-year-old described the Auckland stop as one of his favourites on the world series circuit.

"It's a course I like. It suits me really well and I've always felt good, so it's a good memory," he said.

"But it's a totally new race. Once we get to the startline again, anything can happen."