Murray hopes for change of fortune
RICHARD Murray hopes he will have filled his bad-luck quota by the time he lines up at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
South African Murray will line up as one of the gold medal favourites in the men’s triathlon on the opening day of competition on April 5 hoping his crash in last week’s World Triathlon Series opener in Abu Dhabi means he will stay upright on the Gold Coast.
Murray will put the final touches to his race preparation today when he headlines the Mooloolaba World Cup over a 750m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run.
The sprint format is the same to be used at the Games and Murray is keen for a good hitout after finishing 10th in Abu Dhabi following a crash.
“I wanted a couple of races under the belt (before the Commonwealth Games) just to iron out all the mistakes,” Murray said.
“It’s early in the season and usually there’s a few mistakes you make, so hopefully I got the crash out of the way for the Gold Coast. Lucky I didn’t damage anything too badly.
“I’ve got a bit of a sore shoulder from the crash but I can still swim so it will be right for (Saturday).”
The Mooloolaba World Cup was set up for an exciting clash between Murray and two-time Olympic gold medallist Alistair Brownlee but the Briton’s late withdrawal from Abu Dhabi with a calf injury also prevented him lining up today.
It won’t prevent Murray from putting his best foot forward though, or expecting Brownlee to still be on song on the Gold Coast.
“Alistair’s known for just coming in and making it happen really,” Murray said.
Australian Commonwealth Games team members Luke Willian, Matt Hauser and Charlotte McShane will also race at Mooloolaba.
Hauser has suffered a few leg niggles over the past month but said he blew out the cobwebs at the Luke Harrop Memorial triathlon on the Gold Coast last month and was ready to race again.
“It’s getting really exciting, the heart was racing just doing that press conference for the Mooloolaba World Cup, which is still four weeks away from the Comm Games,” the Gold Coast resident said.
“To be able to have an opportunity to race before the Games in such elite company definitely gets the blood flowing.”
I WANTED A COUPLE OF RACES UNDER THE BELT JUST TO IRON OUT ALL THE MISTAKES RICHARD MURRAY