With one week until the largest multi-sport event in the world, the World Triathlon Championship Finals, kicks off in Wollongong, WTCS number one Matt Hauser says he’s feeling good and ready to race.
Sitting in pole position on the World Triathlon Championship Series rankings with the maximum points available, Hauser is enjoying being on home soil preparing for the Grand Finale Elite Men’s race on Sunday 19 October.
“I’ve had a really good season thus far. Coming back from Europe a few weeks ago, after my last few races, training has been going really well. I’ve had a nice three-week block here to get the last little bits and pieces together… so getting really excited now,” Hauser said.
“It’s awesome to be in Australia this time of the year. Normally we’d be in Europe three to six months of the year so to be able to do this prep close to home and preparing for a home grand final near family and friends is super important and something I think we can take as an advantage.”
“I’ve had great support from the AusTriathlon community and I’m looking forward to cheering on the Age Group athletes and hopefully they’ll give me some support as well,” he said.
“I feel I’m in a solid position obviously with the maximum points. I wanted to set myself a target to put myself in the best position possible to get the job done in Wollongong and I managed to do that but I certainly don’t want to rest on my laurels. I have been number one for a while now and I know that everyone is going to be trying to take me down, so offence is a good defence, and I’ll be looking to attack the race and try not to let anyone take it off me.”
The Australian Team will travel to Wollongong from next Monday onwards with the U23 Team competing Thursday, Junior Team on Friday, Para Team Saturday and the Elite men and Women on Sunday afternoon.
Australia will also send its largest ever Age Group Team to Wollongong with 1,212 athletes set to compete across 1,636 race entries with Maureen Cummings and Garry Maddox leading their fellow Australians in the Parade of Nations on Wednesday 15 October
