Startlist can be found here
First World played at Altitude since the early 90's?? Looks like it. Last couple ITU events I can think of at altitude were Longmont CC in 2007 and 2008 Schliersee CC. The athletes have had many different strategies to hit this one (arrive early/late, train high/higher), perhaps the ones with the most experience with altitude will be better suited to perform their best on the day.
The course will be a non-wetsuit swim to the sounds of it in a dam induced lake. The cycle is 4 laps essentially climbing out to the turn-around and descending back to transition. The run I have heard has a few hills in it as well. With an earlier start the temp should be comfortable.
Perhaps one of the more interesting aspects to this race is the return of Andy Potts. Still on the startlist, it appears he is toeing the line.
With a near full startlist, and a lot of solid but not stand out swimmers, things should stay together with the exception of a few flyers off the front like Varga (SVK), Farias (ARG), Gonzalez (CUB) and Potts (USA). Varga for the leadout welcoming Potts back with bubbles to chase. If there is a gap out of the lake expect it to be swallowed up quickly on the bike.
With it being a hilly ride at elevation expect things to split up on this one. I anticipate riders like Butterfield (BER,pending decent swim), Home boy Quinchara (COL), Gemmell (NZL), Chacon (CRC), McMahon (CAN), Chrabot (USA) making efforts to stir the group on the climbs out of transition. I feel a group of 8'ish could ride away putting the podium out of reach.
Into T2 the break should contain 3 medal contenders. From the chase, the likes of Perez (ESP), Diemunsch (FRA), Shoemaker (USA) will be looking to pick their way forward.
It's a tougher call with the added variables but here are picks:
1. Gemmell 2. Moulai 3. Chrabot
Darkhorse: Fidalgo (ESP), Quinchara (COL)
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