The second stopover in the triathlon state series almost will take a back step to the Olympic state championship race on Saturday morning.
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The six-race sprint series that started in November at Devonport is set to land in Bridport in the New Year, but in the same year of the Tokyo Olympic Games a number of Tasmania's finest exponents of the double distances will focus on the one-off race.
"We are starting to build a strong field in both the men and the women's events," a rapt Launceston Triathlon Club event organiser Matt Wheatley said.
The "blue-ribbon" battle over 1500m swim, 40km ride and 10km run course has secured perennial favourite Hayden Armstrong from Hobart, and Launceston pair Nathan Jackson and Ali Foot.
While Armstrong will be out to defend his 2019 title, a pregnant Kate Pedley will be forced to relinquish hers.
In a repeat of 2018 winner Cameron Wurf, Armstrong also comes off a strong performance at this year's iconic Hawaiian Ironman.
"If you look at Hayden, Nathan and Ali, this distance is very much suited to their training that they go a lot longer and a lot harder," Wheatley said.
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"It suits them a lot more because they have time and space to have a bit more of a cat and mouse game as well."
Wheatley is optimistic that Richie Porte will return to Bridport again to take part in the state championship race.
The 34-year-old had started out in triathlons before converting to cycling, turning into a seasoned campaigner on the Tour de France.
Porte would have to wait to gain permission from his team management before confirming his entry.
"To have athletes of his calibre turning up is great," Wheatley said.
Jake Birtwhistle's current status prohibits the former world under-23 champion from competing ahead of the 2020 Olympics, but Wheatley said the former Riverside High student's success at the distance around the world has raised the race's profile.
"Just having Jake regularly winning races at the world level really does pique everybody's interest," he said.
Wheatley is anticipating 150 to 200 entrants to race on Saturday, with a vast number of them joining the popular teams format.
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