SHE'S never tackled the course before, but Hillston triathlete Claudia Taylor is determined to increase her stranglehold on the Riverina Tri Series crown on Sunday.
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The 37-year-old has surged to the series lead after winning the first two legs of the five-race schedule at Ganmain and Temora.
With The Rock home town favourite and defending series champion Briony Mazzochi unlikely to race this weekend after missing the first two legs, Taylor has a golden chance to secure the $1000 prizemoney for overall series winner.
Ganmain's Chloe Hamblin looms as Taylor's main rival after second place finishes in both races.
"It's actually quite surprising (to win the first two races) really, I'd never won a race in the series before this year," Taylor said.
"I've never done The Rock before so it's a bit of an unknown, but I'd done Ganmain and Temora previously.
"My favourite leg is probably the bike leg, that's where I feel comfortable and I die on the run. Chloe's a really good runner but I seem to catch her on the bike."
The event is run over a 2km run-20km cycle-300m swim-4km run, with the swim increased by 100m after upgrades to the town pool.
Event co-organiser Michael Mazzocchi expects around 200 competitors on Sunday, with around 100 in the open event.
Wagga Triathlon Club's Scott Donaldson leads the men's standings after back-to-back runner-up finishes.
"We're expecting a pretty strong field. We always tend to draw from the Albury area a lot and it looks like the weather is going to be magnificent," Mazzocchi said.
"A big part of our event is we want to put on a good race for those that are serious, but also cater for those who want to try the sport for the first time."
The open event begins at 9.15am from The Rock-Yerong Creek's football grounds, after junior and enticer events.
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