The New Zealand men all have their eye on the same prize this weekend in Sydney, grabbing that elusive automatic nomination to the New Zealand team for the London Olympic Games or failing that, putting in a performance that will impress the watching selectors as they get set to name their team for London next week.
While Sydney might be hosting the first ITU World Champs Series event of the year, in truth it holds much more significance for the New Zealanders, with a top 8 (and first Kiwi home) finish snaring an automatic nomination to the NZOC and the final chance to impress the Tri NZ selectors who will mull over all the criteria before deciding on which athletes they will nominate to the NZOC this week, automatic qualification or not.
Lining up for the Kiwis will be Bevan Docherty (Taupo), Ryan Sissons (Auckland), Kris Gemmell (Palmerston North), Clark Ellice (New Plymouth), James Elvery (Auckland), Tony Dodds (Wanaka) and Martin van Barneveld (Wellington).
So far no Kiwi men have met the criteria to earn an automatic spot in London, and with up to three Kiwi men a chance to start in London, the competition is fierce.
Bevan Docherty is a two time medallist at the Olympics and knows the pressure well as he aims for a third Olympic start in London. The wily veteran admits he is already London focused.
"I'm really looking forward to racing Sydney this weekend, it has certainly been as testing build up with a couple of babies in the mix, but I'm happy to say I'm starting to hit some good form and looking forward to a great result.
"As I have said in the past, my focus is on London in August and that the timing for Sydney isn't that great, however every race from now until the Olympics is the perfect opportunity to gauge how the training is coming along and what I need to work on."
Ryan Sissons enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2011, firmly establishing himself amongst the top three ranked New Zealand men; he knows the blowtorch will be on this weekend.
"Sydney is really the last chance to show your cards before you either select yourself in the team or you let the selectors decide who makes the team. Overall this doesn't change the way I will race, I'm going there to do what I need to do, and that's make the team - just as all the other Kiwis are hoping to do.
"Training has been great at home in Auckland and everything seems to be moving forwards nicely. So a bit of a taper this week will let my body recover for what will be a tough battle on Saturday. Personally I think it will be great once we know what's happening with regards to London, because currently it's very hard to plan the rest of your season not knowing the situation, so I'm just looking forward to getting it done and plan out the rest of my season, hopefully with London top of mind."
Tony Dodds might be considered something of a dark horse, but if the 24 year old gets it right on the day he is a threat.
"Things have been looking really good this year for me, I have changed my attitude towards training and racing at this part of the year and it has worked, so I have kept the same procedures for this race.
"Training has been at my best and my last race was an indication of where I am with still a lot more to come. This weekend will be huge; I am really looking forward to it, racing against the big boys again and hoping to topple a few of them, as I now know it is very possible for me."
Clark Ellice has spent considerable time this summer correcting a posture and weak glute issue that was leading to calf muscle problems, but after countless calf raises and weekly Pilates the New Plymouth athlete is ready to go this weekend.
"With Olympic selection up for grabs timing is crucial, there will be a lot of 'who is the strongest Kiwi' talk spreading around Sydney this week I am sure! I just want to smash it up to be honest. I do enjoy racing this time of year; it's kind of like a reward for all the hard graft that has been put into this race. I'm feeling good and have a sweet crew around me this summer to put me in the best possible frame of mind."
The men's race will begin at 12.26 on Saturday afternoon New Zealand time, with live coverage on SKY Sport 2 and live updates at www.triathlon.org.
