World and European champions to do battle in upcoming triAthlone elite race

The current World and European Triathlon Champions are set to do battle in the Elite Men's Race at the upcoming European Triathlon Championships in Athlone. England's world champion, 22-year-old Alistair Brownlee, and Spain's European Champion, Javier Gomez, are among those confirmed for the men's race which starts at 3.30pm on Sunday, July 4. One of the sport's biggest stars, Brownlee produced some hugely impressive performances in 2009 which culminated with victory at the International Triathlon Union's World Championships in Australia last September. However he had to make do with a silver medal last July, when Gomez defeated him at the European championships in Holland. Brownlee, who is considered a leading contender for a medal at the London 2012 Olympics, has never won a European Championships. But he recently spoke of his determination to do so in Athlone. Meanwhile, Irish hopes in the race are likely to centre on the performances of Fermanagh's Gavin Noble and Cork's Bryan Keane, who was the winner of the Elite race at last year's triAthlone. The Elite Women's Race begins at 3.30pm on Saturday, July 3, and it also looks set to be a highly competitive affair. Australian athletes have taken the top honours at the sport's international women's events in recent times. However, Sweden's Lisa Norden is seen as an up and coming star and she is one of the leading contenders in the Athlone race. Vanessa Fernandez of Portugal, a former multiple World and European champion, suffered a serious setback last year when a broken collar bone kept her out of action for several months. However triAthlone organiser Liam Heavin stated that Fernandez is "back with a bang this year" and is expected to be among the top performers in the Elite women's race. Britain's Hollie Avil (20), a former World and European Junior Champion, is another athlete to watch in the women's race, while Irish hopes will be pinned on the performance of Aileen Morrison who finished second in the Elite race in Athlone last year. "Aileen has been doing exceptionally well of late and I think she represents our best chance for a medal," commented Liam.