Sissons eyes podium as quality field line up for World Cup

Kiwi triathlete Ryan Sissons is banking on some intangibles assisting him this weekend at the ITU World Cup Triathlon in New Plymouth.

Sissons has his hopes set on a strong result at his home event but will have plenty of competition. Home advantage will be a factor and he thinks a number of small things will help give the locals a slight edge.

“It is a bit of everything really,” said the 28- year- old. “We don’t have to travel as far. I can put my bike in the car and drive to New Plymouth. I don’t have to pack and travel, you’re on the same time zone. Being at home, there are a lot of people you know who are supporting you, so it makes it a little bit more enjoyable with people cheering you on.”

Despite many of the sport’s biggest names lining up for tomorrow’s race Sissons is chasing the ultimate result.

“I would love to win obviously,” he said. “I always want to go into a race to win. It certainly is a strong field this weekend but I know I am in pretty good shape and everything has been going pretty well.

“I definitely want to be on the podium — I was fourth last year and missed out in a sprint finish for third. I am definitely looking to be on the podium and I guess I would be disappointed if I missed out.”

Sissons will face some serious competition. South African world No 4 Richard Murray headlines the field, while compatriot, world No 5 and Rio bronze medalist Henri Schoeman, multiple World Cup winner and sixth ranked Joao Silva ( Portugal), Mexico’s Crisanto Grajales ( world No 7), new Spanish sensation Vicente Hernandez ( world No 19) and Belgium’s Marten Van Riel ( world No 24) also feature tomorrow.

“You can’t afford to not do something well because there are enough good people to catch you out on any discipline if you’re not careful.

“I’ll be looking for a good all- round performance.

“It i s always a hard bike on this course — keeping safe i s probably going to be quite crucial, especially if it’s raining,” Sissons said. “It will be a super- fast run with Richard Murray being there. He i s one of the fastest in the sport, so to beat him, you’ll need to have a pretty good day.

“It is great to have an international field and international competition here. It is great to go back there every year and have a good race.”