Sara Pérez Sala, with options in the Challenge Sir Bani Yas
This coming Saturday, April 5, the first edition of the Sir Bani Yas Challenge, an international middle-distance race taking place on the exotic desert island of Sir Bani Yas, in the United Arab Emirates.
This event stands out for its natural environment, inhabited by more than 17.000 wild animals, including cheetahs, gazelles and giraffes, making it possibly the wildest race in the world. calendar world triathlete.
Sara Pérez Sala, main favorite in the women's category
Among the participating athletes, the Spanish Sara Pérez Sala is undoubtedly one of the clear favorites.
With a brilliant past as an Olympic swimmer, Sara comes to this competition with ambition and a desire to reach the top of the podium.
The swimming segment clearly favors Pérez Sala, who will likely emerge in the lead after this first stretch, especially considering the event will be conducted without a wetsuit.
The flat and fast start in bike This can also play into her hands to increase her lead before the most demanding stretch of the course, located around kilometer 35, where other specialists will try to close the gap.
In addition, in the run-up to the competition, Sara Pérez Sala She shared on her Instagram account how excited she is to start the season in this very special setting:
“I couldn't have chosen a better race to start the year than @challenge_sby 😍🔥. I love Abu Dhabi! Despite being a big city where you need a car, it's a great place to train, with its 24-hour tracks, immaculate facilities, good weather, friendly people... (all flat, of course) 😜)”.
She also added that the last few weeks have been a roller coaster due to the time change after her trip to Tasmania, the heat, and a brief illness, although she emphasized that she is really enjoying it.
“This week we have to avoid the heat and try to rest as much as possible to get off to a good start in Challenge Sir Bani Yas, which promises to be a very tough and spectacular race.” 💪”He said.
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Strong rivals: Aurelia Boulanger and Diede Diederiks
The French Aurelia Boulanger, ranked second in the world rankings Challenge Family In 2024, she arrives as one of Sara Pérez's greatest rivals.
Boulanger had a strong season in 2024, winning three consecutive races, and will look to repeat those successes at Sir Bani Yas.
Next to her, the Dutch Diede diederiks, known for her strength on the bike, could indirectly help catch Pérez Sala after the transition.
Special attention to Lottie Lucas and the British Sparrow and Wild
The local athlete Lottie LucasBased in Dubai, she could benefit greatly from adapting to local climate conditions, making her a serious contender for the podium.
On the other hand, the British Chloe Sparrow y Rosie Wild, known for their consistency in running and endurance, could also play a decisive role in the development of the competition.
High-level men's competition
In the men's category, the presence of the world champion of HOMBRE DE HIERRO 2023 Sam Laidlow, who is returning after overcoming health problems that have affected his training.
The British Kieran Lindars, after his good performances at the IRONMAN Frankfurt and Kona, is another strong candidate for victory, accompanied by names such as Henri Schoeman y Jonas Schomburg, who come from the short events of the Olympic circuit.
You can check the male preview in this link .
The keys to the test
Managing the expected extreme heat, with temperatures approaching 35 degrees Celsius, will be crucial in determining who makes it onto the podium.
Hydration strategy and pace control on the bike and run will be key for athletes who aspire to reach the top.
Race schedule
The test will be held on Saturday, April 5th in the morning (local time in the United Arab Emirates). The departure of the category PRO men is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. local time (08:30 a.m. in Spain), while the PRO women will leave at 10:40 local time (08:40 in Spain).
More info on the official website https://www.challenge-sirbaniyas.com/
