SOMERSHAM triathlete Stephen Mavin headed out to Spain today in confident mood ahead of the European Sprint Triathlon Championships in Pontevedra on Saturday.

SOMERSHAM triathlete Stephen Mavin headed out to Spain today in confident mood ahead of the European Sprint Triathlon Championships in Pontevedra on Saturday.

Mavin, 35, will again be competing for Great Britain and looking to repeat his gold medal winning success in the 35 to 39 age group sprint triathlon at last year’s event in Ireland.

And, just like last year, he has travelled to the course a few days early which, he hopes, will once again pay dividends.

He said: “It gives me time to familiarise myself with the course. I feel in good shape but, with just a few days to go before the event, I know I need to be ahead of the field before the run.

“I am keen for a good result, but it is very difficult to make any predictions in triathlon as there are so many contributing factors to a great race.

“With that said, I don’t intend to go to Spain without giving it my best.”

Mavin goes into the event having recorded a distance personal best in the Florida 70.3 Ironman competition earlier this year, as well as picking up bronze at the British Triathlon Sprint Championships.

Back in September last year, he finished fifth at the World Triathlon Championships in Budapest.