Milton looking for form ahead of world champs

Australia's Michael Milton has arrived in Auckland ahead of the Triathlon World Championships, hoping to get in some quality training four days before his race.

Milton, who finished fourth in last year's event in his leg amputee class, says he will be lucky to finish inside the top five.

"There are some new competitors now that London is done and a really strong athlete who didn't compete in 2011. With Paratriathlon's debut in Rio in four years' time, there are a lot of people switching from other sports.

"Plus my preparation has been lousy, with few opportunities to train properly in the last few months. It's very frustrating but it's the lasting legacy of the cancer and I'm still trying to find the right balance,"said Milton.

It's been five years since Milton was diagnosed with cancer for the second time in his life. After chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as major surgery to remove the tumour, his oesophagus and much of his stomach, Milton still managed to qualilfy for the Beijing Paralympic Games and gain two top ten finishes in the cycling.

Soon after he discovered triathlon and the Paralympic equivalent sprint distance: 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run. The swim leg is generally his strongest although his times in the run have been improving, thanks in part to some new crutches he designed himself.

On Monday he will be "giving it all" despite his poor preparation.

"I love to compete and test my own limits so Monday's race will be fun, interesting and tough. I just want to race a good race. The results will take care of themselves," said Milton.

You can follow the race online at www.triathlon.org. You can and should follow him on Facebook here and Twitter here.