Gómez, 31, the 2008, 2010 and 2013 world champion, who has already won in Auckland, Cape Town and Yokohama this season, will resume his fierce rivalry with British brothers Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee.

The home pair will be looking to take advantage of partisan support to return to the summit of the sport. 

Alistair, who beat Gómez to Olympic gold at Hyde Park two years ago at London 2012, has been struggling with injury in recent months, and could finish only fourth on his return in Yokohama. 

Younger brother Jonathan, meanwhile, second in the overall standings, finished runner-up behind the Spaniard in Auckland and Cape Town before slumping to fifth place in Yokohama earlier this month. 

Javier Gómez won a thrilling sprint finish to win the world title over British rival Jonny Brownlee in Hyde Park last year ©Getty Images



But the fact the Hyde Park event is taking place over the sprint format - consisting of of a 750 metres swim followed by a 20 kilometres bike and a 5km run - could play in to the hands of Jonathan Brownlee, winner of the 2010 and 2011 world titles over the shorter distance.

Among others in contention will be Spaniard Mario Mola, who lies third in the overall rankings, along with Richard Murray of South Africa.

If the Brownlee brothers prove unable to overcome the Spanish Armada, there are more prospects of British success in the women's race, where world number one Jodie Stimpson will be looking to improve upon her fourth place in this race last year. 

The 25-year-old won the opening two races of the season before finishing only ninth in Yokohama after falling and suffering a cut foot midway through the race.

Jodie Stimpson winning in Auckland earlier this year ©Getty Images



Stimpson will face opposition from Yokohama-winner Gwen Jorgensen of the United States and British teammate Helen Jenkins, the 2008 and 2011 world champion, who has returned to form this year after two injury-disrupted seasons. 

Olympic silver medal winner Lisa Norden of Sweden is also a contender, while Anne Haug of Germany will be looking to make amends for her disappointing 35th place finish in London last September, which ultimately cost her the chance of becoming world champion.

The major absentee however will be Britain's reigning world champion Non Stanford, who remains sidelined by the injury that has kept her out of any World Triathlon Series action this season, although she remains hopeful of returning to compete for Wales at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow later this year. 

The men's race is due to begin at 2.30pm tomorrow, before the women's event gets underway at 4.05pm.