Matt Sharp returns to European racing after his superb fifth place finish in the opening round of the ITU World Triathlon Series in Auckland last month. 

 

Matt commented before travelling out to Spain: “I am happy to be racing again after a short break. I am healthy and feeling good.”

 

The former ITU U23 World Champion is the only UK Sport Lottery funded World-Class Programme triathlete on the elite men’s start line. David Bishop and Rhys Davey who both competed in this event last season will also race alongside Andrew Hood, William Jones, David Bartlett and Douglas Roberts.

 

In the women’s race, two world-class programme triathletes Lucy Hall and Lois Rosindale will be on the start line; Lois finished in fifth place last year.

 

For Lucy, Banyoles will mark her first international of the season. The 2012 Olympian will be hoping to replicate the form that saw her achieve domestic success at the British Elite Duathlon Championships in April where she finished second behind Vanessa Raw; an athlete who will also get her international race season up and running at this weekend’s event.

 

Lucy commented: “This will be my first race of the season. I’ve had a good winter’s training, so I just want to go out there and have a solid race.”

 

Hannah Drewett who also competed in this event last year completes the British line-up in Banyoles.

 

The women’s race takes place at 9am (local time) followed by the men’s race at 12pm.