Gemmell hopes to go one better today

Kris Gemmell hopes to go one better in today's ITU World Cup race- Bevan Docherty confident of back to back titles

Commonwealth games triathlon rep Kris Gemmell is hoping to go one better in today's ITU World Cup race in New Plymouth.

Gemmell had to settle for second in last year's race after being run down in the final 20 metres by training partner Bevan Docherty.

He is currently fifth overall in the world cup standings heading into the final race of the season.

He is keen to climb another step or two up the rankings.

Gemmell says he can possibly get up to second but that is a pretty tough scenario.

He hopes it can happen but he is just going to give his best on the day and hope everything works out.

Defending champion Bevan Docherty is confident he can win back to back titles when he competes in the final leg.

He says it has been a frustrating year having to deal with several untimely injuries and the disappointment of having to pull out of the world champs mid-race with a leg infection.

He says if everything goes right and he is on top of his game he can end the year successfully.

Bevan Docherty says he remains optimistic and is looking forward to performing well in front of his home crowd.

Docherty will hope to win back to back titles having outsprinted mate Kris Gemmell at the final post in last year's New Zealand triathlon.

Andrea Hewitt is looking forward to racing on the slightly modified course today.

The Cantabrian made her world cup debut in last year's race in Taranaki.

She says the modifications have made the course a little tougher.

Hewitt says it is definitely a tough course with a few hills.

She says there are some steep hills in the run too, so it has changed from last year.

Andrea Hewitt is currently 10th overall in the world cup standings.