The final ITU World Paratriathlon Event this weekend offers the very last opportunity to boost Paralympic rankings and secure slots for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Britain’s Alison Patrick has already met British Triathlon’s qualification criteria and will race this weekend as part of her continued preparations for Rio. Joe Townsend and Faye McClelland look to have already secured slots for Great Britain, but Dave Hill and George Peasgood are making a final bid to qualify a slot in the PT4 category.

Hill is currently ranked in seventh place with Peasgood just behind him in ninth. The top seven qualify a slot for their country, but there is the potential for additional invitational slots to be approved via ITU. Good performances by both athletes this weekend will defend the slot in this very competitive category.

Head coach, Jonathon Riall commented: “In many ways it’s a crunch weekend for our PT4 guys. I’m hopeful of them securing a slot for Rio, but they need to go out there and put together good performances this weekend.”

He added: “For most of the team, this is another great opportunity to get involved in a high quality race. There is some excellent international competition at this event.”

The BTF Paralympic Nomination Committee will meet next week to decide which athletes are put forwards to ParalympicsGB for selection. The team will be announced next month.

British athletes racing in Besançon ITU World Paratriathlon Event; Sunday  19 June; 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run:

PT1: Joe Townsend
PT4: David Hill, George Peasgood, Faye McClelland, Kerry Large
PT5: Alison Patrick