Mario Mola (ESP)
On the form of the Spanish men’s team:
“I always say that people like Javier (Gomez Noya), he makes us think things are easier than it is. He’s been so impressive for many years, having him close and being able to learn from someone like him, we just believe that we can get there. Things are going very very well for the Spanish guys now and there is a big competition for who will make it to the Olympics, so I think that’s making us better when we go and travel abroad and race away from home.”
On the Mooloolaba course:
“It’s definitely a very challenging race, even though it is a sprint distance, like it has for the last couple of years. I think that this is a real triathlon. When I signed up for this I was expecting ocean swims, but mostly we are swimming in lakes and rivers. So it’s good to be in the real ocean. We’ll see how we go in the waves, maybe we will get some tips from the Aussies.”
Ashleigh Gentle (AUS)
On upcoming Olympic selection at the Gold Coast World Triathlon Series event:
“It’s a bit surreal going for an Olympic team and actually feeling as though I am in contention. When I first started the series Moffy took me under her wing and helped me out, when I was kind of the developing junior athlete and that was great, I’ve learnt so much over the years. It kind of seems crazy that four years has come around so quickly. I’m really ready for the challenge and whatever happens, happens. I would really love to make the Australian team and head to Rio. I didn’t ever imagine, growing up going to an Olympics was not something I dreamt about. Now it’s something that is a realistic goal, I’m really driven to try and make it.”
On her start to the 2016 season in Abu Dhabi:
I couldn’t have imagined a better start last weekend, and I’m really happy about it. But that was last week and I’ve got to move on from it. I can take it as a confidence booster, but I’m here in Mooloolaba to
work on a few things which I don’t think executed perfectly in my first race last weekend, so it’s another great race to do before Gold Coast in four weeks time.”
On the home crowd in Mooloolaba:
“I remember last year it was great, the home crowd advantage was awesome. I had a couple of girls come up to me after the race saying they enjoyed running…