The 2017 ITU World Triathlon Series gets underway in Abu Dhabi on Friday with the elite women’s race featuring last year’s winner, Jodie Stimpson. The men’s race takes place on Saturday.

Stimpson will line up with India Lee, a new addition to British Triathlon’s World Class Performance Programme this year having won the ETU European title last summer. Stimpson won this race last year, although the course has seen a few changes to make it more technical this year.

She’s also changed her training base to Loughborough and has new coaches in Adam Elliott and Ben Bright. This race will be the first opportunity to assess how her winter has gone. She commented: “There’s definitely a few changes for me. There’s been a change coach wise, a few challenges and a lot of learning for myself in training in a completely different way. Really positive changes, and I’m really looking forward the race.”

The women’s race features regular podium finishers, Andrea Hewitt (NZL), Katie Zaferes (USA), Sarah True (USA) and Grand Final bronze medal winner, Charlotte McShane (AUS).

Saturday’s men’s race features Spanish World Champions, Mario Mola and Javier Gomez. Britain’s Adam Bowden will want to continue his good run of results, which saw him finish ninth overall in the Series last year. He’s joined by Tom Bishop and Scottish duo, Grant Sheldon and Marc Austin.

Several of Britain’s other key athletes, including Jonathan Brownlee, Vicky Holland and Non Stanford will begin their seasons at later rounds of the Series.

British Triathlon Performance Director, Brendan Purcell noted: “Last year it was all about one race, the Olympics. This year we have several athletes with individual ambitions to do well across the Series and challenge for titles.”

ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi, 1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run

Schedule

15.55 Friday 3 March, Elite women’s race (11.55am UK time)

15.55 Saturday 4 March, Elite men’s race (11.55am UK time)

British Athletes racing in Abu Dhabi

Women

India Lee, 28, Winchester

Jodie Stimpson, 28, from Oldbury, West Midlands, trains Loughborough

Women’s start list: http://wts.triathlon.org/start_lists/2017_itu_world_triathlon_abu_dhabi/307159

Men

Marc Austin, 23, from Glasgow, trains Stirling

Tom Bishop, 25, from Derby, trains Leeds

Adam Bowden, 34, from Watford, trains Cardiff

Grant Sheldon, 22, Stirling

Men’s start list: http://wts.triathlon.org/start_lists/2017_itu_world_triathlon_abu_dhabi/307158

How to watch

Friday 3 March: Women's race LIVE 11.55am via BBC Red Button & online / triathlonlive.tv

Saturday 4 March: Men's race LIVE 11:50am via BBC Red Button on connected TV & online / triathlonlive.tv

Sunday 5 March: Women's & Men's highlights BBC Two 1pm-2.30pm

ITU World Triathlon Series 

Abu Dhabi, Mar 3-4

Gold Coast, Apr 8-9

Yokohama, May 13-14

Leeds, Jun 10-11

Hamburg, Jul 15-16

Edmonton, Jul 28-29

Montreal, Aug 5-6

Stockholm, Aug 26-27

Rotterdam, Sep 14-17