KEY POINTS:
While New Zealand's top triathletes will be fighting for a podium finish in Japan on Sunday, their lesser ranked compatriots will be battling for precious ranking points.
Bevan Docherty, Kris Gemmell, Shane Reed, Samantha Warriner, Andrea Hewitt and Debbie Tanner are expected to lead the New Zealand charge in the second round of the World Cup series in Ishigaki, southern Japan.
But for Ben Pulham, James Elvery, Tony Dodds and Carmel Hanley, it is a chance to improve their international rankings and chances of Olympics or world championships qualification later in the season. Pulham, who is ranked fifth in New Zealand and 86th in the world, will be chased hard by Elvery (6 and 126) and Dodds (11 and 153).
In the absence of Terrenzo Bozzone (133rd), Martin Van Barneveld (140th), Graham O'Grady (142nd) and Sam Walker (148th), all three have a golden opportunity to steal a march on their fellow contenders.
Elvery, however, has not enjoyed a good start to the season and could miss being picked for the under-23 world championships.
Triathlon NZ high performance manager Stephen Farrell said Elvery may be ready to "let the handbrake off".
"James was a favourite to qualify for the world under-23 championships but poor races at the Oceania championship and in Wellington at the nationals have seen him slip off the pace.
"His best chance of qualifying may now be from the elite field and this weekend is a chance for him to show he can race with the best in the world."
Dodds, the national under-23 champion, is capable of making an impact in Japan after finishing fourth in the nationals, Farrell says.
"Tony is in great form and illustrated his growing maturity in Wellington when staying with the likes of Docherty and Gemmell for so long.
"Tony ... may race with more freedom knowing world championship selection is virtually in the bank."
Docherty, who won the national title ahead of Gemmell, is hoping for a better effort than last year's eighth placing.
"I went out too hard at this event last year and paid a price on the run home.
"The goals for me are a bit boring I guess - race well, beat Kris again, beat some Aussies and feed off the atmosphere of thousands of screaming Japanese."
Warriner, Hewitt and defending champion Tanner are again expected to contend for a podium finish.
But further down the field, much attention will fall on Hanley.
The 30-year-old Aucklander needs a good finish to be eligible for New Zealand team in Hamburg this year.
- NZPA
