HAUSS MUSIC SINGS

FRENCH Olympian David Hauss has the Gold Coast in his sights after a breakthrough win at the Mooloolaba Triathlon.

The New Zealand-based French athlete finished in front of Tasmanian Jake Birtwhistle and Spaniard Vincente Hernandez in the ITU Mooloolaba World Cup and will contest the Gold Coast leg of the World Triathlon Series next Saturday.

Hauss said the race was important in the context of his year as he cuts back on the number of races he’s competing in to ensure he is fit and fresh for a 2016 Rio Olympic Games test event in August.

“I decided to go to Christchurch with my friend Laurent (Vidal – fellow triathlete),” he said.

“That’s why we had a really good block of training.

“I’m looking forward to the race next week. I have to go easy to recover now.

“I need to be consistent and I’ve decided not to race too much and be smart.”

Hauss said qualifying for the Rio de Janeiro Games was one of his main goals and having competed at London 2012 the Frenchman says he knows he is capable of challenging the world’s best.

The 31-year-old triathlete will arrive on the Coast from Christchurch on Wednesday having had a solid block of training in between the Queensland events recently.

The new father says his approach to the sport has changed since his six-month old was born.

Although his training regimes are less rigid Hauss believes having a child has renewed his drive to perform at an elite level.