On a flat, fast circuit, Valencia is a course for the runners to relish. In the men’s race at this weekend’s World Cup, there are a multitude of athletes primed to make the most of the conditions.
Among the favourites for the win will be David Castro Fajardo. The European champion finished 5th at the event last year and will be looking to go even better this year.
Castro already has a World Cup win to his name this season having triumphed in Huatulco. In Valencia, the swim should hold no problems for the Spaniard while he has a devastating sprint finish on the run.
Among Castro’s rivals will be Lasse Nygaard Priester. The German claimed a bronze medal at the Weihai World Cup at the weekend and has the ability to trouble virtually anyone.
Antonio Serrat Seoane likewise has the running speed to challenge for the win. Generally his best performances have come over the Olympic distance so he could contend with the likes of Castro and Priester this weekend. Serrat is still awaiting a first international win. As a WTCS medallist, though, he should be able to take the final step up the podium.
Genis Grau is another Spanish athlete that should be in the mix. Having been denied the gold medal by Castro in Huatulco, Grau will have a shot at revenge in Valencia. There is no question that he has the speed to win the race. With plenty of rivals queuing up to snatch the gold, though, he could have a perfect performance and still be denied.
One of the fastest runners in the field is Maxime Hueber Moosbrugger. If he is in contention out of T2, the Frenchman could claim the win. However, as seen at the Tiszaujvaros World Cup, Hueber Moosbrugger can sometimes be susceptible to losing position in the water.
It is a similar story with Hugo Milner. Of the Brits racing, Milner is the fastest runner. However, on several occasions he has been forced to launch long-range attacks to make up ground rather than fight for the win from the front group. With few challenges on the Valencia course, Milner and Hueber Moosbrugger will have good chances of making the front pack without too much fuss. If that transpires, a win will be on the cards.
Milner’s teammate, Connor Bentley, could also be in the mix. With two European Cup wins to his name this year, Bentley has had a successful season and has a knack for crossing the line first. The World U23 champion does not have a substantial body of success behind him at the world level but that is to be expected from a younger athlete.
Armed with a better swim than the likes of Milner, Hueber Moosbrugger and Grau, Bentley should have no difficulty in making the front pack and staying there. Then it will simply be a question of living with the pace of Castro, Priester and more.
Michele Sarzilla is another name to watch. Like Serrat, he may lean a little more towards the Olympic distance and he seems to be constantly improving. As such, he could produce something special. Arnuad Mengal also finished 8th last year and will be looking to go better.
Finally, Gustav Iden and Casper Stornes will continue their intranational rivalry. Neither Norwegian has the running speed to threaten the podium however both are exceptional cyclists. If anyone is going to manufacture a small breakaway, as Manoel Messias did to great effect on his way to gold last year, it could be them.
TriStats Predictions
- David Castro Fajardo
- Lasse Nygaard Priester
- Genis Grau
- Hugo Milner
- Maxime Hueber Moosbrugger
