The current European Duathlon Champion, Catriona Morrison, and the World Duathlon Champion, Paul Amey, will be looking to add to their international titles at this weekend’s ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships in Lorient, France.

Amey took his second World Duathlon win in Gyor, Hungary having previously won the competition in Australia in 2005. Renowned for his strong running, if Amey is within sight of the leaders following the 3km swim and 80km bike legs he will be one of the favourites to take home the gold medal with just the final 20km run remaining.

Broxburn based Morrison used home advantage to win the European Duathlon Championships in Edinburgh, but she will not have such luxuries in France. Edinburgh was cold, wet and hilly whereas Lorient is set to be warm, dry and flat. However this won’t put off the hardy Scot who enjoyed a second place finish at a Half Ironman event in the heat of the US Virgin Islands at the start of the season.

2002 World Triathlon Champion, Leanda Cave, will also start as one of the favourites, having clocked up impressive long distance triathlon victories in the USA, including two One O One races and the legendary Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon in San Francisco.

The men’s team includes Britain’s top Ironman competitor, Stephen Bayliss, and Scotland’s young up and coming triathlete, Fraser Cartmell. Last year’s women’s winner, Bella Comerford, is unable to defend her title having picked up a hamstring injury in training.

The full GB elite team is: Leanda Cave, Yvette Grice, Catriona Morrison, Chrissie Wellington, Paul Amey, Stephen Bayliss, Fraser Cartmell, Joseph Gambles, Alun Woodward. In addition there will be 38 women and 115 men racing in the age group categories plus there's also a French Grand Prix race at Lorient on the Friday where we expect to see several GB elites racing for their French teams.