The 25-year-old, who recorded the fastest five kilometres split time in the history of the Series, to win in Abu Dhabi earlier this month, will be up against defending world champion compatriot Javier Gómez, a three-time winner on the New Zealand course.

Gómez will be a chasing a first podium finish of the season after a disappointing sixth place finisher in the opener, with four other Spaniards set to toe the line.

Great Britain's Olympic bronze medallist Jonathan Brownlee will lead the international charge, with the Yorkshireman also below par in finishing fifth in Abu Dhabi, while Joao Silva of Portugal will be another leading contender.

Javier Gómez and Jonathan Brownlee racing on the Auckland course in 2014
©Getty Images




World champion Gwen Jorgensen will be the outstanding favourite in the women's race after dominating a strong field in Abu Dhabi.

However, despite winning in Auckland in 2012, she only finished 12th there last year after being caught in a bike crash, with this being the only time she did not finish on the World Triathlon Series podium last year.

Katie Zaferes and Sarah True will add to a formidably strong US team, with home hope Andrea Hewitt perhaps the strongest challenge, particularly because the challenging course favours her strong cycling ability. 

Both field will compete over a choppy two-lap harbour swim, followed by a hilly eight-lap bike tester, before a four-lap 10km running finale.

Both races take place on Sunday (March 29), with the women up first before the men race in the early evening. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
March 2015: Donner and Murray both seal maiden gold medals at ITU World Cup
March 2015: Gomez Garrido and Hauss record World Cup wins at season opening event
March 2015: Jorgensen and Mola claim opening World Triathlon Series spoils