Race Preview M'Diq Africa Cup, Morocco

While Aileen Morrison’s 2nd place in the 2013 Grand Final in London is the undoubted stand out individual result for Ireland in the current format of Elite triathlon, arguably ever, Malmo European Cup in 2018 has a strong case for top team result in a single race with an unprecedented 4 athletes in the Top 15 of the men's race.  

Russell White went into that Malmo race in a tough place as Irelands No.1 but knowing he could well be beaten by 1 or more of the Irish team in a race type that didn't really suit him for a result but was ideal preparation for subsequent races where he achieved a 16th in the European Champs and the 2nd place in Karlovy Vary which probably made the difference in his Tokyo qualification. 

Russell goes again this weekend in M’Diq in Morocco in a strong team that might have a shot at emulating the Malmo result. This time he will be a chaser as well as having the target on his back with James Edger established this year as the No 1, for now, and Luke Mccarron and Jonathan Oakey still in early stages of their careers. Beating the Olympian will always be a target for the others but for White, with his experience, the process and where this race builds to will be paramount.  

Edgar goes in ranked 5 in the race off the back of a win and 2 other podium results this year and will be confident in his toughest test of the year as he goes up against 4 Top 100 athletes including World No 16 and Morocco’s hope for a home win Jawad Abdelmoula who last year was 3rd in WCTS Hamburg. 

Mccarron and Oakey come into the race having top 10s in their last Continental Cup races with strong runs for both but this will be Mccarron’s first time at this level over the standard distance. This could develop into a nice rivalry with Oakey coming out best in their last encounter in Alanya in October while Mccarron was ahead in the World Student Games the previous month, a few spots behind Edgar. 

Morocco is always a fun and friendly place to race and with a 2 lap swim, 9 lap bike and 5 lap run this will be spectator friendly too.

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