Defending champions Jake Birtwhistle and Gwen Jorgensen will both return in a blockbuster field packed with international talent at the 2015 Australia Day Aquathon on Monday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Twenty elite athletes from eight countries are to begin their campaigns at Belmore Basin in Wollongong.
Among them are both 2014 champions as well as Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Aaron Royle and Ryan Bailie.
Royle could not compete last year due to a calf complaint but was excited by the field for 2015.
"I have done it now, without injury, for the last six years and this looks to be the best field we have had," Royle said.
"Most of the guys are the people we train with every day, so there will be bragging rights amongst the squad."
On Saturday Royle returned to the Wollongong Wizards from a training camp in Falls Creek.
The vast majority of the international and Australian representatives competing on Monday train with the Wizards under coach Jamie Turner.
"Most of the guys who were with us last year are still around," Royle said. "Jamie is careful with who comes on board and makes sure they are the right fit for the group."
The 2015 season will be a vital one for triathletes preparing for the 2016 Rio Olympics after the International Triathlon Union announced a 'test event' at the course in August later this year.