South Africa Triathlon: World Series

Hello and welcome to Strathclyde country Park, the 400 hectares of

countryside here will host three triathlons at the Commonwealth Games

in three months' time so we are here to check out the course and speak to

some of the Scottish triathletes hoping to take part. The centrepiece

of the show is this weekend's will triathlon series race which made

their debut in Cape Town. The South African city is the second stop out

of eight, so let's start by reminding ourselves of what happened

in round one. The opening race of the 2014 World

Triathlon series here in Auckland. Look at Jonny Brownlee! Jonny

Brownlee, having a word with Tom Bishop. Gomez has made the first

move. This might be going to Javier Gomez Noya. What an encouraging

return for Helen Jenkins. Goodness me! Massive shock. Carnage in

Auckland. Stimpson leads the way. Stimpson wins in Auckland. Jodie

Stimpson needs the way in the women's competition on 800 points

with Helen Jenkins not far behind. On the men's side, Javier Gomez Noya

smack victory puts on top with Jonny Brownlee hot on his heels. Don't

forget, the new rules this season meaning athletes must compete in

five races and the grand final if they want to have any hope of

becoming world champion. And, so, after a brilliant start the season

by the Brits down under, the World Triathlon series has landed in

Africa for the first time in its history. And the setting a glorious

one. Takes place on the Cape Town waterfront. Coastal views throughout

the 40 kilometre bike ride, and the run loops four times around Cape

Town Stadium. The location of this race is a big deal, especially for

the South African athletes, as they look to grow the sport in this part

of the world. The flatness of the sport should play to the hands of

Richard Murray in particular. One series regular who is unable to

compete is David McNamee. We are very glad to have you here. What

happened to your wrist? I forced myself, got caught in a cycling

crash, said I'd wrote and dislocated some bones in my hand. I have some

metal plates in there now. More fun at airports. Sort of, because it is

bad enough travelling through with a bicycle. There is never a good time

for an injury, but this must be especially frustrating because you

had a very good year last year. Three top three finishers. I was

16th in the world last year, three top tens, so my career was

progressing nicely. It has not been a great start to the year, but I

don't think the season is over just yet. You've already, qualified for

the Commonwealth Games, how much can you train at the moment, and will

you be ready? I think I am ready. Or I will be ready. There is not much

point in going on. I've got 12 weeks until the games. I've got 12 weeks

to get myself fit. And I believe I can do that. We want to talk more

about the Commonwealth Games, but we have to get into the action in Cape

Town. What are your predictions this weekend? It will be interesting.

Mario Mola, he is a dark horse. He could get his first win this

weekend. It will be interesting. Who else will it be? The usual? Alistair

Brownlee won't be there. Will it be Jonathan Brownlee going at it? I

think so. I would watch out for the South African, Richard Murray,

because he is one heck of a runner. And also some hometown advantage.

Definitely. South Africa very excited to host the first World

Series race. I am sure they will have good support. Let's see if your

predictions are correct. Time to hand you over to our commentators.

So, this is the scene at the Victoria and Alfred waterfront in

Cape Town on Freedom Day. 20 years ago, the country had its first

democratic elections. So, here we are in Cape Town, having begun the

series in Auckland at the beginning of April. We have now moved over to

Cape Town to this magnificent arena. The start takes us out into

the waterfront for two laps, 750 metres each. Then a plaque is on two

wheels. A collapse of under five kilometres each to round out the 40

kilometres. There is a big hairpin, then they come weeping back into the

desolation of the car park area behind the Cape Town Stadium into

the second transition, to separate transition areas in Cape Town. The

run takes them on for by 2.5, two laps. Here is the start list.

Richard Varga is the swimming specialist.

A total of 60 two due to start today. They are ready to go in Cape

Town. The elite men dive into the Victoria and Alfred Harbour in Cape

Town. They begin the first of two clap 's, 750 metres -- of two laps.

What a spectacular sight that is looking down from the helicopter

shot, a big spread of 62 swimmers in the cold waters of Cape Town, just

over 12 degrees, not for the faint-hearted this swim. They have

to go around a succession of brightly coloured inflatable buoy

s, before heading back to the X it point where they leave the water,

run along the poem -- pontoon. Then they had to the transition area

number one to pick up their bikes for the eight laps to complete the

40 kilometres on two wheels. Then a 10,000 metre race on foot. The

strong swimmers almost certainly led by Richard Varga of Slovakia. They

are starting to make an impact. It is a good start. Javier Gomez Noya

and Jonny Brownlee right on the left-hand side of the field, and

with their top-ranked numbers, they are looking to get the shortest

swim. It seems very quick. A little bit more difficult if you are on the

right-hand side because you'll have to go left to go around the turning

point. The weather is partly cloudy although it is pretty sunny at the

moment. It is quite chilly-bob in the water, 12.1 degrees. The field

is beginning to spread. Richard Varga wears number eight, and

normally we'd see him out in front, and that is what we are getting here

today. He is very much the swim specialist but he is improving all

the time in his overall triathlon performance. He trains a lot of the

time with the Brownlee brothers. This is how it started a few minutes

ago. This time it is seen from the helicopter. No. Is, everybody

comfortably away, right on the buzzer to begin the second stage of

the 2014 world fire from series. -- World Triathlon series. What a

spread we have, 62 in the water, and some of them are miles behind. So,

after eight minutes is in the water, Richard Varga leads them to the exit

point on the Victoria and Alfred waterfront. He will be the first

dive back in, let's see who has done what. Richard Varga is first.

Followed by the Spaniard, than the South African, McCartney, the

Canadian. Brownlee is in there. Gordon Benson has done well in 18th

position. Good start for the 19-year-old. Harris is doing very

well, too. Mario Mola is 28th. They keep coming. They are passing each

other. They are eyeballing others who are yet to reach the pontoon to

complete lap one, such is the spread of this cold water swim here in Cape

Town. The Frenchman as he came out of the water, our thoughts are with

his compatriot Vidal who suffered a heart attack in training last week

in the swimming pool. He was revived by the French paramedics, airlifted

to hospital, and we gather that he is in an artificial coma while he

begins his recovery. His girlfriend is at his bedside, and his family

are there. A horrific location for Kim and his family and friends. Our

thoughts are with him at this stage. There is the backdrop of Cape Town.

Table Mountain often has a layer of low cloud on top, the white cloud

known as the tablecloth, but that is absent today, clear air, clear

skies, a good day for racing, but they will be happy to get out of the

water and get some sun on their backs as they ride on the streets of

Cape Town for the second stage. Jonathan Brownlee, world number two,

second behind Javier Gomez Noya in Auckland at the beginning of April,

he was also involved in that titanic battle for the World Triathlon

series in September in Hyde Park, Gomez got the better of him on that

occasion. Jonny Brownlee has had some dramatic races, none more so

than the Olympic race in London in 2012 he was forced to undergo that

stop their penalty, having infringed the dismount line, still went on to

win the bronze medal, one of the most incredible moments of the

games. Very dramatic, very exciting, and Jonny Brownlee was in the heart

of it. He had a win in Madrid last year. And Yokohama. And was the

winner of the sprint event in July in hamburg where he beat his brother

into second, with Gomez third. So, the swim is done. Out they come with

Richard Varga leading them through. 16 minutes and 14 seconds from start

to finish over 1.5 kilometres. We will keep an eye out for the

British, Gordon Benson is 21st coming out of the water. 21 seconds

behind. He is in that first group, good start for the 19-year-old, off

to a fire here. That is very encouraging. If he can make headway

into that lead group, establishes position early on, it seems we will

have a gap. Mario Mola is down, he looks like he will miss that first

group. He might be disappointed with that. Aaron Harris is a little way

down. Johnny makes his way out of the transition. It is a bit of a

struggle for one of the Russians their... He is struggling to get his

wet suit. And Richard Murray is a long way down. Mario Mola also has

missed the break here. There will be a couple of good riders together in

what looks like being the second group, but it will all sort itself

out. Somebody has left their wet suit behind, but will be a stop-go

penalty, he might have been better advised to turn around, pick it up

and put it back in the box. It looks like Javier Gomez and Jonny Brownlee

are not surprisingly up at the front, I think that is Raphael in

second place, no, it is not. It is Vincent Luis. We see these guys get

to the front, forced the pace and get away into a small, working

group. Interestingly, Gomez has a friend in the front group in the

shape of Goloy, who has had a great swim. -- Godoy. Richard Varga was

first in, first out of the swim. This was Jonny Brownlee's

transition, making sure he got everything right. 37.5 pedometer is

still to run. Jonny Brownlee bellowing instructions down the

field. -- 37.5 kilometres still to run. That is a familiar look at the

front, they all finished on the podium. There is Godoy, the other

Spaniard. One of the Germans is there. The South African... Two

Frenchman, Vincent Luis and Raphael. We have got Dmitry Polyanskiy, and

his brother, both up there. There is the youngster from South Africa, he

is still racing under 23 and he's doing so well to be in lead group.

McCartney of Canada also in the lead group. The Polyanskiy brothers,

riding well. So so far, there is a really talented group coming

through. Fab Ian, traditionally fast in the water, he has made an impact

again. Will he edged forward and do some work? He is a worker, I've seen

him getting stuck in, he will be wanting to stay in the lead group,

but he will not be wanted to lead into the run. This is the chasing

group, they are one minute from the pace. They include Richard money

from South Africa -- Richard Murray, from South Africa, and I

think Aaron Royle is in the group as well. The world number one Javier

Gomez, the World Triathlon Series champion fought 2013, forcing the

pace. Jonny Brownlee on his rear wheel. These two have got very used

to seeing each other's backs in the last three or four seasons. Granger

Bay Boulevard now, back onto the main thoroughfare which takes them

to the southern end of Cape Town Stadium, before they head left, back

towards transition. So, getting towards the end of the

second lap of eight. Declan Wilson, the Australian, injecting a little

pace into his ride. I just spotted Gordon Benson, in that second group.

He has been a little mysterious for the last ten minutes but we know

where he is now, in the second group and hopefully the graphics will

stick with that second group and we can confirm his position. Lots of

noise as the South African right through to complete lap two. He is

in the group with the two Russian brothers, 14 in total in that first

group. That is the front of the field here in Cape Town. Then, a gap

of what we think is about somewhere between 30 and 50 seconds. The

second group coming in. So it was up to 58 at one point. Richard Murray,

wearing number 58, leads them through and it has been reduced. So

it has gone more realistically from 58 to 47. 47 seconds. Lots of the

names coming through, in this group. Gordon Benson, the 19-year-old, is

in that second group. A huge group of riders. They have taken some time

out of the leaders. They have taken about 11 seconds over the first

couple of laps. So heading in the right direction. Well, we are back

at the head of the field and for the first time, it looks as though we

might be getting split. The chase group, we see them going on the

other side, but there is a big move at the front. At the moment, we have

got five riders who may not be able to close back on that gap. At the

front, really working hard, we have got an impact of pace that has gone

through. Chance of this big group splitting and it will be so hard if

that happens, they will be in no man's land with a big group chasing

them down. The gaps are beginning to open and they will need an effort to

get back on. We are saying that it appears that the pace is beginning

to take its toll. We saw the athletes get back together, then we

get a deep turn and again, with got a gap forming. It looks possible,

just possible that they might beget in a group going away. -- might be

getting a group going away. That group involves Jonathan Brownlee. It

also involves Schoeman, there will be a lot of pressure bracing in his

home territory. He will be getting fantastic support every time they go

through the transition area. And think that pace at the front is

really moving up, people are having to work hard now. It is all shaping

up to be a foot race between Brownlee and Gomez, as we've seen

semitones. Schoeman will be hoping that his best running form is with

him today, to give himself a chance of making the podium. Halfway

through the bike course. Jonathan Brownlee is first in and first out.

Four laps to go. 47 seconds was the time difference towards the leaders

last time we got a look. It has been drifting between the late 40s and

the early 50s in terms of seconds. And the second group now arrive at

transition. It's around the 50 seconds mark, and try to keep out of

trouble, 53 seconds this time. No real change between the leaders and

the chasers. Just sneaking away that little bit, and extra three seconds

each lap, that progresses of course, possibly outside and then as we go

into the final discipline. Now, confirmation that the German has two

served a 15 second penalty. Still without 15 second penalty to come,

he is in the second group. -- still with that 15 second penalty to come.

Gomez is starting to consider his options, and guess who's right

behind him, and sharing the work rate at the front? It is Jonny

Brownlee. These two will once engage in shoulder to shoulder combat over

10,000 metres, a ten K run. The last stretch of this cycle stage. So, now

the athletes will start to think about removing their feet from the

issues that are attached to the pedals, -- from the shoes, resting

their feet at stop, getting ready for a smooth dismount. They are

barefoot out of the park here for these guys as they come to the

arrival. Jonny Brownlee will be first in and hope to be first out,

he will have Gomez for company. One or two others will be hoping to get

in or out of here without incident. Here go the bikes come up on the

hooks. Anything has to be done according to the rules. Gomez has

already got his running shoes in his hands and they are going on his

feet. Johnny struggling to get his left shoe on. They leave transition,

a very good transition for all 14 men. The anyone who has struggled

was Schoeman. The first man away was the German, Rieschlag, the unknown

quantity. Schoeman made a bit of a mess of transition and he finds

himself maybe 30 metres behind Rieschlag. Let's hope he does not

panic and try to cut it up in a few seconds, because that might get into

extra fatigue and tiredness. Here comes the chase pack. 72 seconds

down at the end of the previous lap, leaving themselves a lot of work to

do going into the temple or to run. -- into the ten kilometre run.

Richard Murray bounces into transition to hang up his bike. Had

a real spring in his step but he missed his target first-time with

the front wheel of his bike. Now he is surrounded by his opponents, he

needs to find an escape route. He's on his way out. The Germans still

has the 15 second penalty to come. Gordon Benson is in and out, keep an

eye on his performance. A massive group here, including Mario Mola who

is a great runner, he will look to turn on the speed here in the final

stretch. Gordon Benson just coming through now.

And no surprise to see Javier Gomez and Jonathan Brownlee forcing the

pace here, already putting a dent into the run. Rieschlag exploded out

of transition quickly but he was hauled in in double quick time by

the current world number one and current world number two. Rieschlag

is third. One of the Russians looks to be in about this place, one of

the Polyanskiy brothers, but the race is here. A glance from Javier

Gomez, a familiar sight, accompanied by Jonny Brownlee, it looks like

it'll be a race to the finish between these two and they are

starting to stretch the field on the first lap. What goes through their

heads? So many times when they race against each other, the last five

times they have raced against each other, no one of us got a look in.

They must be thinking every time, what do I need to do this time? What

do I learn out of the experience to beat the other? It is that

confrontation, it is like a world heavyweight boxing match, one

against one all the time. So strong mentally and physically, it is such

a tough call. At the moment Gomez leads but he knows that Jonny

Brownlee is going to be just following and following and

following. Is there going to be a real change in tactics? At the

moment, they run away from the rest of the world. If Alistair is there,

it is the victory rather than the big two. Alistair, sadly injured at

the moment, taking a strong decision to stay away from this race. So many

times we have seen this and we've seen different results coming

through every other race. There is the man the South Africans hope will

produce America will run. That is Murray. They're coming from a

deficit of 1.20 minutes. The duel of the champions again. Jonny Brownlee

seems to have taken the lead, Gomez more than happy to stay on his

shoulder, more than happy to let his friend and competitor lead. We will

see many changes before the finish line. Dmitry Polyanskiy, currently

third, the fastest of the Polyanskiy brothers. He has moved up ahead of

the trio who currently hold for the position between them. So, Dmitry

Polyanskiy looking for a place on the podium. So, in Auckland, if I

under correctly, it was early in lap four when Gomez made a move on

Jonathan Brownlee, and Jonny had to settle for second because he was

unable to respond. Let's see how it pans out today, and what the tactics

will be. Are we going to see any new tactics? We have seen a variety of

the surge is going through particularly on the final three

kilometres, the surges, the sprint finishes between the two of them,

but what we have not seen is an early surge, somebody making a

determined surge in the first five kilometres, then trying to open a

gap and hold onto that. And you just wonder, will one of these make a

determined effort to do something different to try to catch the other

one unawares, to open a gap early on, and then it is the hard way

because you are going to hurt right the way through. We saw Alistair do

it in Stockholm on the bike, he made a break and it worked. With these

two, they know each other so well, they know their strengths and

weaknesses, and just getting information, they are over a minute

faster than the second group. Richard Murray and Mario Mola are a

minute off the pace, they pose no threat to this leadership.

Dmitry Polyanskiy currently holds third position. Polyanskiy has moved

well away from his particular chasers. At the moment, it is no

man's land, he's not going to catch these two, but he's going to be

aware of the chasers behind him. Polyanskiy's best results last

season came in San Diego where he was seventh and in London where he

was fourth behind Gomez, Jonny Brownlee and Mario Mola. He is a

decent runner. Jonny takes some water. With Dmitry Polyanskiy in the

frame, he is running well and strongly, maybe a comparison of the

arms with our front two leaders, a little bit wild, not in rhythm, but

these two are in rhythm. Jonny Brownlee leads, right towards the

end of lap number two. Gomez is shadowing him. As they have done

throughout this section. Jonathan Brownlee of Great Britain,

Javier Gomez of Spain leading the World Triathlon series in Cape Town.

It is into the second transition. Five kilometres down, five

kilometres to go. We will have a look at the gap to the third placed

triathletes, Dmitry Polyanskiy. The Russian is trailing by about 15

seconds. So, that is the gap to third. The South African supporters

just craning their necks, looking down the corridor, the blue racing

corridor, looking for the next group in because there is one of their own

in this group. These four are running together, and

they are looking to maybe close the gap to Polyanskiy. Then there is a

further gap of ten seconds or so to Schoeman, who is in eighth position.

Meanwhile, the leaders are in the low niqab Park area behind the

stadium. And Gomez has injected some pace. -- are in the low niqab Park

area. This might be a significant break away for Javier Gomez. He is

attempting to sprint away from Jonathan Brownlee and Jonathan seems

to have no answer at this stage. Jonny looks at Gomez, his head

starts to roll slightly, he can't respond. It looks as though Gomez at

this stage has the better of Brownlee. We wondered if that

surge, the magical surge was going to come earlier. Jonny has got huge

decisions to make. Does he go to cover immediately? Run the risk of

going too fast too soon. Or does he hang back and tried to gradually,

gradually get that gap shortened and shortened? To see Javier Gomez go so

early, we wondered, we thought maybe something different will happen. And

that is what he has done, he has gone a couple of kilometres earlier

than we expected. Gomez leads outright, Brownie in second,

Polyanskiy in third. The gap has widened in the space of 60 seconds.

Javier Gomez has put four seconds between himself and Jonathan

Brownlee. Jonathan getting some encouragement from some of the

supporters on the course. It must be psychologically a real blow for

Brownlee to get away from him again. Gomez has struck once again in Cape

Town. Dmitry Polyanskiy running in third position. 24 seconds between

first and third at this stage. There is Jonathan Brownlee. Javier Gomez

way off into the distance. He is already up towards the stadium. Big

spread within the top three. And Gomez is cruising now. Looking for

three wins in a row, Javier Gomez. London in September of 2013,

Auckland at the start of April 2014, and now Cape Town, the hat-trick of

World Triathlon series. He is the world champion. 19 kilometres per

hour his foot speed. He is really travelling beautifully, Gomez. Can

anyone beat him? Jonny Brownlee, in second, he will be looking forward

to the finish, I am sure. The last 600 metres for Jonathan Brownlee.

Beat again by Javier Gomez again today. And Gomez can start to enjoy

the moment. The noise levels are starting to build as the spectator

numbers increase on the final stages of this course. He swam solidly

enough, kept out of trouble over the bike, did his share of work at the

front of the pack. Good, clean, uneventful transitions for Javier

Gomez. Mistake free as usual. He moves from one discipline to the

next mistake free. And then that decisive turn of speed to make sure

of the wind. And make sure of the win is exactly what he did. He takes

the red flag pointing him in the direction of the blue carpet. He

will force a smile on this final stretch, looking for clues third

straight World Triathlon series win. He won in London 2013, in

Auckland earlier this month, and he claims the first-ever World

Triathlon series race in Cape Town on Freedom Day in South Africa. He

wins the race in Cape Town comfortably. Comfortably in deed!

And now he looks down to see his great rival Jonathan Brownlee finish

in second again. Brownlee on the podium once again, but a little

disappointed to have been beaten so, brands of only one more time by

Javier Gomez. Gomez executing the perfect triathlon race. In the end,

Dmitry Polyanskiy comes through for his first podium of the season.

Dmitry Polyanskiy from Russia holding off the challenge with a

ease and finish on the final lap. He finishes in third. 43 seconds off

the pace of Gomez, and Mario Mola wasn't far behind, didn't do

enough, fourth place scenario, Mario Mola, and just nine seconds of the

third. The final lap for Mario Mola. And the best of the South Africans

will be Richard Murray. He finishes in the top five. He is one minute

and five seconds down. There is a sprint for sixth with Aaron Royle

sprinting away from Aaron Harris. It is officially a photo. Joao Pereira

from Portugal, followed by Ryan Sissons to round out the top ten.

Confirmation of the final results of the Cape Town World Triathlon series

race, convincing victory for Javier Gomez, second place were Jonathan

Brownlee with Dmitry Polyanskiy third for Russia. Aaron Harris was

seven for Britain. I think we will work very tired with heavy legs. But

I ran as hard as I could. And I made this little gap with Jonathan. I

could keep it, luckily. In Auckland, he won the race in the front, and he

took it today. I thought I would change up a little bit, but he

counter-attacked everything I did. Simple as that, he was very

impressive, stronger than me, stronger in the swim and the run.

Well done to him. Richard Varga led out of the water with Jonathan

Brownlee and Javier Gomez close behind. 14 men setup the lead group

on the bike leg and stayed clear of the chasing pack. On the third lap

of Earth -- of the run, Gomez cruised away from Brownlee, taking

first, Brownlee taking second, and Polyanskiy taking third. Here are

the standings. If Alistair Brownlee wants to get involved in the World

Triathlon series battle for 2014, with the new rules, Alastair will

have to get involved in every remaining race.

Back here in Strathclyde, some of the triathletes are out and about

doing some mixed relay training. Every year, thousands of visitors

come here to make use of the fantastic bike and running tracks,

and enjoy some of the water sports on offer. In July, triathletes from

dozens of Commonwealth nations will be racing through this part, too.

What can we expect? I've been out and about with David McNamee to have

a look. So, this will be the start of the pontoon into the Strathclyde

Lock. Yes, it is good to go. We will dive in, do two laps, then we going

to transition this way. Have you swum in this place before? I have

slammed twice before. In 2009 and 2010. I have swam here before. It is

freezing cold in 2009. 2010, I had a wet suit on. What is it like to swim

in? It was OK. It is shallow. But you don't see the bottom. It is

quite murky. All triathlon swim is chaos, 60 guys want to get to the

first buoy, so it is about trying as hard as you can for 1500 metres and

seeing where you are. And on the mixed relay day, that will be the

most chaos. It is carnage, but good fun. It is chaotic. One of the most

interesting events of the whole event of the Commonwealth Games.

So, this is the top of the main hill the athletes will have to tackle on

the bike course. This is where we will turn around. It looks quite

flat here, but we will be riding hard for three minutes from the

bottom. There are five laps on the bike, this is going to be the key

point on the race. The last thing you want to do is turn around here

and realise there are guys disappearing off the front. So, if

the race splits, it is up this climb. This has been part of the

British super series, will that be a benefit to some of the Brits taking

part in the Commonwealth Games? Yes, I think you need to know the course

beforehand. It is invaluable to know the cause. The New Zealand athletes

came here specifically to see what it was like. It is very similar to

Auckland. And we saw there how valuable it is to know the course.

So, very tough bike course, what about the run? It starts off nice

and flat and then we do disappear up into the hills. It is three laps and

that is where the medals will be decided. Who do you think your

team-mates will be for the Scottish team? It going to be Grant Sheldon,

Austin? I think so, they won medals last year at the junior level. I

have been training with them, they are developing into world-class

athletes. What do you think your chances will be? Realistically, one

of us will be trying to get onto the podium. We are not all going to be

on the podium, we will not get first, second and third but I can

see one Scottish flag being up there.

So, that is what the course looks like and we have be -- we have

talked about the men, but what about the women? Let's start with Natalie

Milne, you make in Auckland, how did it go? I was ready pleased with my

Sim, my bike was OK and then my run was OK. I had a bad back because I

had just crashed. What do you need to do to qualify? I need to be a top

eight Commonwealth games athlete in Yucca Harmer. What would that mean

to you being in the Scottish team come July? I have wanted to do it

since I was a child, so even just putting the get on be amazing.

Gloria, you were born in England but you have Scottish roots? My mum and

dad are Scottish and I moved back to Scotland a few weeks ago. It a few

years ago. I have been brought up Scottish. How does it feel to be a

contender, someone who can compete in Glasgow 2014? It feels surreal.

If someone said two years ago when I was not even involved in triathlon,

that I would be here, I would have said they were crazy. So had to get

involved? I had done a bit of cross country running but not that much.

Then someone from the swimming club said, why don't you get involved in

triathlon? I did not have a bike, someone lent me a ?200 bike, I did

my first race and one that. Then the Academy picked me up and that was me

involved in triathlon. Part of the training camp this weekend is you

having to prove yourself to the selection team. Yes, it is been a

really good weekend, a little bit of swimming, biking and running. It is

nice to get involved with the girls, we cycled the bike course.

Shona Thompson, some of you might recognise her because she was super

series champion in 2012, so you have recognised this course? Yes, it was

just at US long, because the water was not warm enough to swim in. --

it was not a triathlon. It would be brilliant to race hear a game, it is

a good course, there are a lot of hills and turns which makes it more

interesting. You train in Leeds, where the world champion is also

trained, so she would be a competitor? It would not really felt

like I was competing against her! I heard that you are made to compete

into triathlon? Yes, my husband had done a few triathlons, I was a

runner but I had done some swimming when I was younger. He tried to

persuade me to have a go but I was not that keen. It was very expensive

to enter. He said, I will pay for you if you will come along. So he

did. And I loved it. I did not have any equipment, so I borrowed his

bike, I wore my trainers and worsening costume, stopped in

transition to put on my T-shirt and shorts. -- and eight swimming

costume. I loved it so I just carried on. So you are living proof

that you don't even need your own bike to succeed in triathlon! If you

want to get into triathlon or like Shona's husband know someone who

should be getting into it, here's how you can find out more. Keep on

running... And swimming, and cycling. BBC sport once you to get

active and stay active. Go to the website to find a sport for you.

With information on why, how and where to get stuck in. Don't just

watch it, do it, get active, get inspired. Keep on running, all

kicking, or skating, all running... From the banks of the Strathclyde

Lock, it is time to go back to Cape Town for the elite women's race.

So, 51 elite women triathletes are lined up in Cape Town, ready to dive

into the bitterly cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. For this shortened

swing to kick off round two of the world trust fund series of 2014.

They are ready to go, -- the world 's triathlon series. They are ready

to go, the 51 athletes are into the water after a delay of 25 minutes.

It will be a shock to the system, the water temperature is less than

12 degrees, it literally takes your breath away for the first few metres

until you adjust your body and your breathing. It will be a sprinter to

start. Normally we have a swim of 1500 metres, but because of the cold

litre, -- cold weather, it has been shortened to 750 metres. As we

looked down on the spectacular afternoon on the Victoria and Albert

waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa's southernmost magnificent

city. This is another look at the spectacular dive start. A good,

clean getaway for all 51. No force starts that we have been told of. So

no penalties to pay. -- forced start. 3.5 minutes gone in the

second stage of the World Triathlon Series the 2014. We began in

Auckland at the beginning of the month, Cape Town this weekend, next

up Japan, then London, Chicago at the end of June, then hamburg in

mid-July. Stockholm at the end of August, followed by the grand finale

in Edmonton in candour. -- in Canada. Heading back across the end

of the water swimming course, they are up to the clock tower. The lead

at the moment is with number 12, Lucy Hall from Great Britain. She is

leading the swimming here in Cape Town. We saw her do that in the

Olympic games two years ago and then at the first race this year, we

expected her to go out there and she chose not to. Maybe she is

experimenting with tactics, she has changed her training base. Just

playing around with it to become a complete triathlete, rather than

someone expected to lead the swim and then come back. Second place is

the Czech Republic athlete, Frintove, holding second position.

We think that Helen Jenkins and hope -- Jodie Stimpson are also in the

front group. Heading back towards the first transition, and another

regular front runner in the water is out in the lead. The Spanish athlete

up there with Lucy Hall and also Frintova from the Czech Republic.

The field has not had a chance to get too far spread out. I don't

think anyone has got left behind so all 51 will arrive at transition

number one within a couple of minutes of each other. We could have

one big group at the front of the field on two wheels when they pick

up their bikes and begin this long, looping first lap. The swim is

almost done. After eight and a half minutes, who will be first out of

the water? I think that was Lucy Hall, certainly one of the British

triathletes. Coming out of the water first. In the afternoon sunshine. We

will check exactly who has done what. Routier officially first,

Helen Jenkins is fifth. Vicky Holland is up there as well, a

good swim for her, 10th out of the water. Jodie Stimpson is 13th, right

on the tail of the leaders. So far so good for the British contingent.

Then there is a gap of about ten seconds or so, until the second

group, the water. The first of the swimmers arise, multitasking at

transition, helmets on, wet suit stepped out of, it is all done with

style and speed and plenty of practice. Everything has to be

placed particularly and perfectly into the equipment boxes. We have

seen enough penalties awarded in the competition is for people who have

failed to hit the target, chucking the wet suit into the box, it can be

costly if you miss. They are all arriving thick and fast into

transition. A massive group will form at the front of the field.

Carolyn Routier first out of the water, the first group, then another

ten seconds to the second group. They are a minute behind. We talked

about Helen Jenkins and confidence, if that is not confidence, I do not

know what is, she has gone straight to the head of the field. There is a

loose group of 15 athletes coming through the first couple of turns,

you can see the effort at the front because those gaps were beginning to

extend immediately. The athletes who are desperate to get into that

leading group, they are having to work so hard to get into it. Groff

is there from the United States. I have not seen Gwen Jorgensen yet. It

will be critical for her, whether or not she can get into the lead pack,

despite it being a flat cycle section. Thank goodness it is sunny,

they must be thinking now, as the come out of the water, a chance to

warm their buddies up in the afternoon sunshine. -- warm their

bodies up. Lucy Hall is up in the leaders. Jodie Stimpson is there,

there is no sign of Jorgensen in the lead group. I think it is a really

tremendous amount of speeds to go off with, they have tried to break

it down right from the start. Talking of Gwen Jorgensen, I think

she is the lone rider trying to close the gap. She did get left

behind, trying to warm her body up. She is now pushing hard. He has got

Co. This is the chasing group. That is Eileen Reid. And Anne Haug

as well. This is a big group. Some talented riders there, and now we

are back with the leading 12. They are going to the first of the out

and backs, they will be eyeballing the next group which is about 20.

That is the difference. That group heading to the hairpin will be

working hard to close the gap and join the leading 12. I do not think

it will be long before they are up there with them. Unofficially, I

make that gap 25 seconds which is a big gap early on. Something is going

to depend on whether Anne Haug can dominate in that second group and

get people to work with her. This front group are not giving in

anything at all. They have got to the front, they are looking behind,

Lucy Hall is there, they desperately wants to stay away from the strong

runners like Anne Haug and Gwen Jorgensen. Jodie Stimpson gets her

head down, she loves working hard in the bike. A big collision that! One

rider flat on her face in some trouble. It is one of the Americans.

It cannot be Jorgensen again, surely? It is not, it is Hursey, she

is in tears as she picks up her bike and goes to the side. Let's see what

happened here. Number 16, oh it was a collision, of wheels, and down

went Hursey. She managed to avoid getting run over by the riders, but

she took someone out with her. Lucy Hall, number 12, for Great Britain,

fast in the water today. Jodie Stimpson, the world 11 is alongside

her. And good work so far from the British pair at the front of the

field. Leave area from Brazil, she struggles on the run, she is strong

on the wheels. Vicky Holland there as well. Yes, Holland, Stimson and

Lucy Hall, three British triathletes. And so maybe we have

got for Brits? That would be very good. A real depth in talent and

strength gap Great Britain are exhibiting in triathlon in the men's

and women's field. The German lets Lucy called come past. Routier, the

Spaniard is there. We have this power trio of Jodie Stimpson, Helen

Jenkins and Vicky Holland working well at the front of the field, as

Routier edges up to take a turn, just avoiding that rear wheel of

Jodie Stimpson. There was one collision, we could do without any

more. It really is great teamwork, not just by the British athletes but

by everybody because it is classical teamwork, moving up from one side,

from the right, getting to the front, it is only about 20 pedal

revolutions, and then they just revved into the left-hand side, and

then they start taking recovery. That is the cliche of a single wolf

moves fastest is not true when you get a good group of athletes working

here and working so well and efficiently together. Officials

working hard to keep the tarmac clear. No barriers, I notice in

certain areas, they are relying on people's common sense to stay away

from the field of play. End of lap three, no change, Lucy Hall leaves

Jodie Stimpson and Routier. Jenkins is seventh.

They are all pretty compact and tightly knit, this group of 12. At

the end of lap one, the gap was 25 seconds, at the end of lap two, it

was around 44 seconds, at the end of lap three, it is going to be getting

on for a minute. This second group have been unable to make an impact

at all. And the chances of Jorgensen and Haug, the strong runners, making

an impact when they come to the 10,000 metre conclusion of this

triathlon are getting slimmer and slimmer. It might be more than a

minute at the end of lap three! The indication to me was when we saw the

overview, and first of all, group one, it is worth repeating, it

really was a perfect chain gang. We flash back to group number two, they

were overtaking, there was no cohesion, I've got a bit of energy,

I'll go to the front. As you said, over one minute, that is 15 seconds

extra on the first lap, then another 15 on the second lap, possibly need

Jorgensen and Haug will be able to close down sad gap. -- closed down

that gap. Working hard on right-hand side, working hard, move over, then

coming back down. Just a chance of recovery. That is why they are

working so well together, that is why they are moving their head in

terms of time over the second and third groups. -- moving ahead.

Again, Lucy Hall, she saw a gap opening, they weren't able to bridge

that, so she dived in, and she is more than willing to take extra work

on just to ensure this lead group stays away. No real urgency, no work

ethic, no bossing of the race from the chase group, they have got a

pedestrian pace about them compared to the leaders. That is the time

difference. From 25 seconds, 44 seconds, out to 93 seconds over the

third lap. The athlete who seems to be getting stronger as the rest of

alerts, Lucy Hall, always admired and respected as a swimmer because

she was swimming to help Helen Jenkins through, and now we see her

doing a huge amount of work on the bike. The motorcycle is following

the chasers, it accelerates up to get close and personal. Big group,

but the lack of pace is obvious, just from a cursory glance. They are

just ambling along. No real hunger for a win from this chase group.

Jenkins, Stimpson, Holland and Hall leading the way, doing plenty of

hard work. Four of the front 12 are British triathletes. We expected a

big group, but I expected it to be at the front of the field. But that

leading 12 went early. They can do so much more effective work than a

group of 20 or 30, and they got away. Again, we have seen them

coming through a tight bend, two switches, and we've still got the

motivation, we have still got the hard work going through. They are

following the wheels as much as they can. That is what is making the

difference. The work ethic stays there. And the work together, that

stays together as well. The end of lap six, no change. The leading 12

riders, as they have been since the exit of the water, pretty much. The

gap started off at 25 seconds at the end of lap one, it grew to 44, then

93 seconds, so they have just completed lap six. And this huge

group, which forms the chasing peloton will come into transition at

the end of lap six and we will get a check on the time difference once

again. I am watching this, counting down

the seconds, expecting to be in transition, and it is not

happening. It is going to be up to the two-minute mark! I think so. It

need somebody to take charge. Such a big group like this, it is so

difficult. The group has recently doubled in size as well. Previously,

we have seen somebody like Annie Haug, she will take command, get the

athletes working and bringing them back, and that hasn't happened. She

can come and do well from being in an unlikely position after the

swim, she has done it many times before. But look at this. We

suggested more than two minutes, and that is where it is heading. It

might just be slightly under the two-minute mark as they break the

time here. One minute 58. Two laps to go. Still no sign of any damage

being done as everybody just eases out of transition. They have to give

each other space and width to avoid any bike parts coming together. The

group of 12, meanwhile, they have worked beautifully together. Sarah

Groff has played her part. The favourites now have to be Stimpson

and Jenkins. Jenkins has proved her return to form has been solid,

robust, and Stimpson won in Auckland. There are two other

British contenders in the shape of the Holland and Lucy Hall. They will

be keen to make a mark. And we have speculated about the chance of a

British one two, three, well maybe there is a chance of a British one

two, three, four. I think Sarah Groff might have a say in that! I

respect and admire her so much because she is a working athlete.

She does not have any weaknesses, and she displayed that at the London

2012 games. What a spectacular backdrop this has provided, this

beautiful city of Cape Town. The Cape Town Stadium, built for the

football World Cup, which is coming our way again in Rio. With the

chasing group again. Annie Haug resigned to a mediocre performance

today. Jorgensen in front of her. Jorgensen can take out some during

the run, but a place in the top ten is surely even beyond her strong

running capabilities. There is a gap of more than two minutes, and the

gap is likely to grow at the end of lap eight. A couple of hundred

metres on two wheels for the front 12. One hour and ten minutes has

passed. And transition is approaching. So, here we go, the end

of the 40 kilometre ride, the front 12 has remained the same throughout.

They come in at the dismount line, and they look for position. Jodie

Stimpson is leading the way. Stimpson, Holland, Jenkins, first,

second and third into transition. Lucy Hall is seventh. Getting in

first is one thing, getting out first is another. Stimpson, not

rushing. Holland and Stimpson exit together, Knapp, the German, is

third. They won't be a group for much longer on two feet. Sarah Groff

is bouncing her way across the carpet in about seventh or eighth

position. Lucy Hall, backing them up, she is 12 of the runners as they

leave transition to begin lap one of four, 2.5 kilometres per lap on this

inner circle around the Cape Town Stadium. Huge statement by Knapp and

Holland, they are sprinting out of transition, determined to get on

Jodie Stimpson's leading legs. Stimpson is out there and Holland is

working hard to get back. It looks like Jodie Stimpson has decided she

will run this as she started in Auckland, by putting the hammer

down, and maybe she is looking at that, the Brownlee tactic, of going

flat out on the first 2.5-3 kilometres. Holland has chosen to go

with her, it is a huge statement. Jodie Stimpson is in great running

form, and Holland has said, I will give it a go to see if I can do

that. Maybe this is the one. Holland beat Stimpson in Stockholm last

year. Holland was fourth, Stimpson was fifth in the World Triathlon

series race. But Stimpson has kicked already. There is a gap growing.

Stimpson is taking this race by the scruff of the neck in the first lap

of four on two feet. She is moving clear. Meanwhile, the chasing group,

which numbers about 25 comes into transition more than two minutes

behind. Now we will see what Haug and Jorgensen are made of on the ten

kilometre run. We know Jorgensen is a strong runner, and Haug has in --

has it in hard to do it. Haug puts on her shoes, reaches for the visor,

makes her way out, shoulder to shoulder with Jorgensen. They are

the big threat from the chasing group, but they have a mountain to

climb in the shadow of the mighty table Mountain. So, back at the

front of the field, Jodie Stimpson has opened up the lead of about four

seconds. Four seconds early in the 10,000 metre run. Not many

supporters out here. It is a slightly lonely run. Stimpson has

taken it on early, wants to make a mark. And that looks to me like

Helen Jenkins, who was in second was issued for Great Britain. But it is

the 25-year-old from the West Midlands, who won in Auckland

earlier this month, second overall in 2013, she showed in Austria she

can win triathlons, whether they are flat or steep. Helen Jenkins came

out of transition is just a few seconds adrift. Jody's tactics are

to go flying out, perhaps Helen's is to get into the group, and then

surround her. We are back with the chasers. Moffat is there, chasing

behind Jorgensen and Annie Haug, but that is a huge ask. Now goes

Jorgensen. She has used the first 600 yards to get herself into place

and now she lengthens her stride. Annie Haug follows her through.

Surely, surely two minutes is too much. They are running through the

deserted car park of the deserted stadium. It is Great Britain first

and second. It is down to about 2.5 seconds now, the gap, it was closer

to 3-3.5, but Jenkins has made a little break. And Stimpson, I don't

think she will be aware of the proximity of Jenkins just yet. We

had hoped for a potential one, two, three for Great Britain, but one,

two is on the cards. Can we get a gold and silver in Cape Town? So

strange to see a dearth of spectators. Normally, the athletes

will be getting the crowd behind them, almost instant feedback bike

listening to the noise and cheers of the crowd. The only opportunity Judy

is going to get is if she looks behind on one of the turns to see

what the difference is between herself and Helen. Vicky Holland is

running in sixth place at this stage. Behind Kirsten Sweetland of

Canada. Holland looking for a solid results, possibly to give her

confirmation of a place in the Commonwealth Games team for Glasgow.

A big performance by Vicki, she has moved comfortably away. She went out

very fast indeed. Perhaps realised that, back off a little bit, seems

to have got her second wind now and is running well here. I do not think

we will have any collapses, it seems like a fairly comfortable gap from

that top six. There we are, that gaps between Helen Jenkins in second

and Sarah Groff in third has opened significantly. I think Jenkins might

be about to take first position in her own right, they are shoulder to

shoulder. Stanford is out of action at the moment, what a prospect when

she returns to full fitness with a race against Stimpson and Jenkins?

So, Jenkins leads Stimpson in first position, after a move of staff and

courage. She has moved alongside Stimpson and now sits at the front

of the field. Sarah Groff is third, Jodie Stimpson second. The leader in

the Cape Town World Triathlon Series women's elite race is Helen Jenkins.

Just 200 metres to go until transition. Further back down

through the field, 102 of the backmarkers are about to be lapped.

Glover of South Africa, she will be overtaken by Stimpson and Jenkins is

Stimpson glances over her shoulder to try and gauge the difference

between her and Jenkins in the lead and Groff in third. Glover will have

to give way now. Stimpson once again takes her place

at the front of the field. Wants to be the first to cross the line at

the end of lap three, just to give her chance, her psychological

mindset to boost here. She kicks clear as she did after she ditched

her bike at the end of the 40 barometer ride. She left transition

quickly, she seems to have eased off in the last ten minutes of the run.

No real damage done here for Jenkins who is able to respond. Helen

Jenkins stays on the shoulder of Jodie Stimpson. They have run 7.5

kilometres, they have 2.5 kilometres to run. Great Britain at number one

and two, with Sarah Groff in third for the United States of America.

She's 28 seconds off the pace. So it is a three athlete race at this

stage, with Gwen Jorgensen climbing her way up through the field as she

so regularly does. But she is a minute behind at this stage,

Jorgensen, more than a minute behind. She has done fabulous work

so far. She was two minutes down at the end of the bike. It is now down

to one minute and seven seconds as she looks up at the clock. He has

got 2.5 kilometres to do the real damage. That is an absolutely

stunning final discipline bike when Jorgensen, and you have got to ask,

could you get on the podium? She is within 30 seconds of the third

place, and taking 1.5 minutes on the first three laps, that is a definite

possibility. This will be one of the best runs ever at an individual

discipline, but she did not make the break to go with the first bike pack

and that is the difference. It will come back down to a battle between

the two of these, to see who claims the race. Stimpson took the honours

in Auckland, with Haug second and Jenkins taking a stunning comeback

after two years out. In her first ever World Triathlon Series

competition in its new format. Jorgensen, about two overtake fellow

Americans Sarah Groff. Groff has nothing left to give, her heart must

think as she sees Gwen Jorgensen heading off into the wild blue

yonder with such a pace. There is a break at the front, one of the

British runners has broken, Stimpson has gone clear. Stimpson is first to

kick again. This time, so far, Jenkins is unable to respond. We saw

it from the helicopter shot, it was a bit of a mystery, then we came

down to see it was Stimpson who was put her foot down. Jenkins is trying

to respond. We cannot write her off at this stage. She has already

fought back once under the pressure of the Stimpson kicked. She might do

it again right here. And Jorgensen is getting a little closer. Another

backmarkers getting in the way. Stimpson moves away from Helen

Jenkins... She makes contact with the motorcycle. Goodness me,

disaster averted! But right in the dying stages of the race, a coming

together of motorcycle and wider. As they come into the final stages. It

will be two out of two for magnificent Jodie Stimpson. She

timed her sprint finish to perfection here at Cape Town. And

she has got plenty more in reserve. She will finish in spectacular

style. Stimpson wins in Cape Town, as she did in Auckland. Second place

to Helen Jenkins, going one better than her third in Auckland at the

beginning of the month, and it will be a magnificent third position for

Gwen Jorgensen who's come from the clouds to claim a place on the

podium in Cape Town, having been more than two minutes down after the

40: That a bike. -- 40 kilometre bike. Confirmation of the final

results of the World Triathlon Series race in Cape Town. A win for

Jodie Stimpson, with Helen Jenkins in second. And when Jorgensen in

third position after a magnificent run. Vicky Holland finished in

eighth position. Katie Hewison was 13.

The GB girls are pushing hard on the bike today, Lucy Hall was absolutely

amazing on the bike today, so was Helen and Vicky. They are definitely

strong today. When Helen passed me, it was all about trying to hang on,

I was going through a bad bit, I had a stitch, and I was trying to hold

onto Helen. I gave it all I got, I tried to break her going onto the

last lap and I couldn't, so I sat back behind. I just gave it all I

got and managed to got come out on top. I knew she was going to play a

tactical game, I had to keep the pressure on, so do you keep pushing

or are you tactical? I didn't have anything at the end, but I am happy

to be on the podium, it is brilliant. I am not happened -- not

sure what happened on the bike, there was a crash in front of me, I

was at the back of the pack, I should have been at the front, there

are lots of things to think about. The overall series rankings sees

Stimpson ahead of Jenkins. Vicky Holland is in 11th position for

great Britain. As well as putting the girl through

their aces, the head coach was busy on his phone keeping up with the

action of the women's race in Cape Town. What a great result, a British

one, too. It is amazing, highlighting the strengths that we

have in Britain with male and female racing. It is awesome to see Helen

and Jodie going at each other, a very healthy and good rivalry to

have. The key thing for the Brits was the swim and bike brakes, that

front group of 12 committing to make it snapped and they really broke the

race which is fantastic. I like to see committed, hard racing. Massive

credit to the British girls, Vicky and Lucy Hall, as well, getting

really stuck in. And that break was so good that girls like when

Jorgensen really had to work on the run. You and I were debating whether

she could make up the two minutes, and she did and she got a podium

place. Yes, you called it beautifully, you said podium and I

said top five! That highlighted that these races are not at done deal, it

is not a procession, you have to do all three things well, and Gwen was

exposed on the first bit in the bike. She has improved her swim, to

come out so close to the front means he has got a chance to take control

of races but she needs to get that bike tiptop so she can deliver the

high power in the first five K. And so she does not have to run so hard.

No question, if she had not been working so hard on the bike, maybe

she would have got even closer to the podium. It is an exceptional

performance, when you consider how far back she was, commitment and

drive, the constant effort she showed to believe that she could get

back up there, the girls have got to be frightened of that. They will

have to be making smart, tactical and hard decisions to push the race

is on and expose Gwen where possible. We were talking about

Commonwealth selection, the English team will be difficult with the way

the girls are working today. Absolutely, it was nice to see Katie

Hewison making a strong return, and Lucy delivering consistently, the

swim and the bike very well, and making progress in the run. The

England selectors have got a tough job. Jodie is world class right now,

top of the world standings, but the rest of the girls are fighting hard,

it will be tough. The women's races seem to be getting more and more

exciting. I am already looking forward to Japan.

If you are coming in late, getting up early, you can watch it live on

the BBC sport website, on the red button or unconnected TVs, for 2am

for the women's race or 5am for the women -- men's race on the 17th of

May. We will have highlights at a more civilised hour on Sunday 18th

of May in the afternoon at 4:30pm. Here are the key dates for the phone

nation 's athletes hoping to be on the Commonwealth start line.

We should note who will be -- we should know who will be joining

Stanford and Jenkins on the Welsh team by the time we get to Hyde

Park, but we will not find out the Scottish and England teams until

June 12. The athletes will then have just over a month to prepare for the

men's and women's races which take place on the same day, July 24, and

the mixed relay, two days later on July 26.

So great to have a few more races on British soil to look forward to. It

is time to say goodbye to Strathclyde until the Commonwealth

games. I will see you next time with all the action from Japan. Goodbye.

Ted, I... I'm not interested in coming to see Lady Gaga, sir.