The event consists of a 1.9km swim, 90km bike over testing terrain and final 21km run. The bike course will certainly favour those athletes with strong bike handling skills, as the route takes in some fast descents through two national parks.

 

Members of the Great Britain Age-Group Team are looking forward to racing after months of preparation and training.

 

Ben Christopher competing in the 40-44 age-group commented: "This'll be the sixth time I've represented GB in an age-group event. I'm so excited about racing in Calella [Barcelona]; the course looks awesome with some challenging sections on the bike. I can't believe we'll have Javier Gomez, a Spanish legend after his London silver medal and Chris McCormack in the mix! It all makes it that bit more special."

 

Adam Hamilton racing in the 25-29 age-group added: “This is a dream to me; I was born an athlete with competition in my blood. To be part of the GB team from an age-group perspective is fantastic. It’s one of my greatest achievements.”

 

Joan Lennon, Great Britain Age-Group Team Manager, who has been working hard behind the scenes to prepare the team, commented: “I am really looking forward to the racing this weekend and seeing how our age-groupers perform on the same course some very high profile elite athletes. The technical and fast descent in the mountains is going to be very tough and will require top bike handling skills. To see all the athletes crossing the line with their GB flags waving will be a fantastic experience.”

 

In the elite races, Mark Threlfall a member of the British Triathlon Elite Multisport Squad will be joined by Ritchie Nicholls, Joe Skipper and Chris Goodfellow in the men’s event. In the women’s race, Holly Lawrence and Eleanor Haresign will complete the Great Britain Team in Barcelona.

 

The 2013 Barcelona ETU Challenge Middle Distance Triathlon European Championships will be streamed live online on Sunday, 19th May through www.challenge-barcelona.es.