Retaining Hong Kong title at New World International Triathlon will be difficult, says Tony Dodds
New Zealand's Tony Dodds will be out to defend his overall title at this weekend's New World International Triathlon, but says it will be difficult for him to back up and win again.
The 27-year-old won last year's event with a dominating performance, but this year comes into the event not knowing how good his form is having competed in his last race in France two months ago.
You don't really know how you are going with training and when you come into the race, you don't expect anything
"I competed in the French league and I think I finished in the top 20. I would love to defend my title. You don't really know how you are going with training and when you come into the race, you don't expect anything. This race brings back good memories for me," said the Kiwi. Dodds has been plagued by injuries over the last two years. He burst his appendix in France, missing the London Games in 2012. The same year, he was involved in a collision with a car, sending him through the windscreen, but fortunately escaped serious injury.
"Earlier this year. I crashed during a World Cup race and broke my elbow. We push ourselves to the absolute limit," he said.
Ukraine's Yuliya Yelistratova will also be looking to win back-to-back Hong Kong titles.