Following on from Saturday’s Aquathlon championship event at the same venue, Châteauroux in central France will host a new edition to the ETU calendar with the first Elite European Championship event over the Sprint distance.

With the Standard distance event having taken place at the end of May in Lisbon, Portugal, Europe’s Elite triathletes now have another chance to earn European Championship Gold on Sunday with the edition of this new Sprint distance event to the ETU calendar. Fast and furious racing is guaranteed, with the strong French team certain to be inspired by home advantage.

They won’t have it their own way however. Having earned a career best tenth place finish recently at the Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds, Great Britain’s Jessica Learmonth leads a strong British women’s team that will be looking to set the pace from the very first stroke. Already an ETU European Cup winner this season, Jessica will have high hopes of adding a championship podium finish to what has been a breakthrough season for the Leeds-based athlete.

“I'm really looking forward to racing at Châteauroux this weekend.  It will be my first Sprint of the season, and should be a fast aggressive race. Having Lucy on the start line is always a bonus as our strengths are so similar. I also race for Châtearoux in the French Grand Prix so it will be good to see all of my team mates.”

Look for Jessica and Lucy Hall to set a blistering pace during the opening 750m swim to spread the field and hopefully create an early breakaway on the bike leg.

With a second place finish recently at the Bloodwise Blenheim Palace Triathlon, Aaron Harris has shown good form after returning from injury, while Marc Austin has reserved many of his best performances for championship competition and so will be hoping to continue that positive aspect to his impressive C.V.

Châteauroux ETU Sprint Triathlon European Championships – Sunday 26th June 2016
750m / 20km / 5km

Great Britain Elite athletes racing in Châteauroux:

Elite Women:
Lucy Hall, Jessica Learmonth, Heather Sellars

Elite Men:
Marc Austin, David Bishop, Aaron Harris, Liam Lloyd, Grant Sheldon

Full start list: http://www.triathlon.org/events/event/2016_chateauroux_etu_sprint_triathlon_european_championships

Schedule: (local times)

Sunday 26th June 2016

13:00 – Elite Women
15:45 – Elite Men