Mario Mola in search of World Triathlon Abu Dhabi hat-trick but ‘it’s not going to be easy’

Mario Mola has won the past two ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi races, in 2015 and 2016. Ravindranath K / The National

ABU DHABI // There is a piece of Mario Mola folklore in Abu Dhabi that no one can take away from him.

His name is on the top of the Roll of Honours list, as the first winner of the men’s ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi when the event was first run in 2015. He repeated that success in 2016.

Can he make it three in a row? We are about to find out.

Mola’s two victories here were achieved when the triathlon was held on Abu Dhabi’s Corniche. With a change of venue — this year’s triathlon will take place on Yas Island — the Spaniard is hoping to make it a hat-trick of titles in the capital.

“As an athlete, I’m prepared to face any challenge, not only competing at a new venue but the challenges of the others, particularly as it is the first race of the world series,” he said.

“There’s a lot of things to ponder in the first race of the season.

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“For instance, we never know the kind of challenges, however familiar the opponents. It’s a test to see how well you have trained for the new season.

“I’m excited about racing in Abu Dhabi, though. It’s been a great way for me to start the season here for the last two years and build confidence towards the rest of the year.”

However, Mola, 27, is also aware the bar has been raised considerably in the third staging of the ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi.

He will have to overcome some of the leading men on the world circuit, including compatriot Javier Gomez, the five-time ITU world champion and a silver medallist at the London Olympics in 2012.

Others of note include Fernando Alarza, another Spaniard and the world No 3, South African Olympians Henri Schoeman (No 4) and Richard Murray (No 5), and Portugal’s Joao Silva.

“It’s not going to be easy,” Mola said. “It never was.

“Javier is back racing after not being able to compete last year. I’m sure that will bring a good battle.

“Then there is the South African team that has already raced in Cape Town a few weeks ago, and they are in good shape.

“They showed that they are prepared to race well, and of course, the rest of the guys looking to start the season well, so I’m expecting a very tough race.”

Mola was runner-up in the ITU World Triathlon Series in 2014 and 2015 before clinching the coveted title last year.

The only glitch last season was an eighth-place finish at the Rio Olympic Games.

“Of course, I was happy about how things have panned out for me in the past three years,” he said. “I think I was able to race consistently throughout and getting the world title at the end of last year.

“It was a good end to the year, and overall too, the year went very well.

“All my focus was on the world title and not the Olympics. I wish I could have been closer to the front in Rio; I missed a medal because I started too far from the breakaway group.

“But I shouldn’t take away anything from the other athletes who finished ahead of me. They all did well to achieve what they deserved.”

Speaking of his preparation for the new season, he added: “I started training slightly later than other years, but I’ve been healthy all the time, which is the main goal.

“My aim this season is to try to race well during the entire eight-nine months of the competition. Abu Dhabi comes first and that’s what I’m focused on.

“A good start can do good things for the remainder of the season.”

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