The ITU World Triathlon Series gets under way on Sunday with the opening round in Auckland, New Zealand. Britain’s former world champions, Jonathan Brownlee and Helen Jenkins, and 2013 Series runner up, Jodie Stimpson, will test themselves against very strong international fields.

Auckland is the first of eight rounds, with athletes needing to score points in five rounds and the Grand Final in Edmonton in August in order to be in contention for the ITU world title. The Series returns to London’s Hyde Park on May 31 where spectators can again enjoy all of the action for free.

Auckland features a 1500m sea swim, a hilly 40km city centre bike ride followed by a waterfront 10km run. Jonathan Brownlee will relish the prospect of another race with Javier Gomez. Brownlee lost the ITU world title in London after the Spaniard beat him in a memorable sprint finish in Hyde Park.

Brownlee returns to Auckland for the first time since 2012. Reflecting on the 2013 Grand Final he said: “To lose in a sprint finish was tough. I used it this winter to push harder in sessions because I don’t want to be in that same situation again.”

Looking forward to Sunday’s race, he added: “I’d like to make the swim and the bike really hard. My cycling has definitely improved and I’d like to use that.”

Brownlee will also face competition from an in-form Mario Mola, who beat compatriot Gomez in the ITU World Cup event in New Plymouth two weeks ago. Gomez, Brownlee and Mola were the top three ranked men in the world last year, and a further four of the world’s top ten ranked men are also in Auckland.

Britain’s Grant Sheldon gets his first ITU World Triathlon Series start having won world junior bronze last year. Tom Bishop, Mark Buckingham and Matt Sharp join him, with Sharp having finished fifth here last year.

The women’s race is missing world champion, Non Stanford, but it features eight of the remaining top ten. Jodie Stimpson starts the race as number one in the absence of Stanford, who is recovering from a foot injury.

Helen Jenkins returns to Series action following a welcome return to international racing in New Plymouth, where she finished fourth.

Jenkins missed the whole of last season through injury but returns with TeamGB Olympic teammates, Vicky Holland and Lucy Hall, who are both in Auckland.

Natalie Milne and Lois Rosindale complete the British line-up.

The women’s race will be televised live on the BBC Red Button from 1am on Sunday 6 April and 4.30am for the men’s race. Highlights are available on the BBC Red Button at 6.30pm on Sunday 6 April and on BBC2 at 3pm on Monday 7 April. Coverage is also available live and on demand, including on mobile devices, via triathlonlive.tv.

British triathletes racing in Auckland:

Lucy Hall
Vicky Holland
Helen Jenkins
Natalie Milne
Lois Rosindale
Jodie Stimpson

Tom Bishop
Jonathan Brownlee
Mark Buckingham
Matt Sharp
Grant Sheldon