Abu Dhabi: All of the world’s top 10 male triathletes and eight of the leading 10 females in the sport have entered the inaugural ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi.

Organisers say the event will now be the best triathlon staged in the Middle East when it takes place in the UAE capital on March 7.

More than 2,000 people of all ages and abilities are expected to race alongside the world’s greatest athletes on one of the sport’s most spectacular course layouts.

On the men’s side, 2014 ITU World Triathlon Series Champion Javier Gomez is looking to start his season on a winning note in Abu Dhabi

“I am delighted to finally be coming down to the UAE to compete in the first ITU race of the year,” said the Spaniard. ”This race will boast the world’s top triathletes — it’s going to be super competitive and I’m going all in to win. I am also competing in a half-distance race the weekend before, so I hope I am not too tired.”

With four ITU World Championships under his belt, Gomez will be a force to be reckoned with next month and will not be resting on his laurels.

“I’d definitely like to get off on the right foot at the first race of the ITU World Triathlon Series because that sets the mood for the rest of the year,” added the 31-year-old.

The Abu Dhabi event will also see Gomez’s greatest rivals, Britain’s Olympic gold and bronze medallists from London 2012, Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee, make a return to the UAE.

The Brownlees will be competing for top honours on the world-class course and hoping to continue their recent success here after Alistair previously finished first in the Short Course race at the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon in 2013 and 2014.

“Racing in Abu Dhabi is tough but it’s always an amazing experience and it gets more enjoyable every year. The first race of the year is always important for everyone and it will be interesting to see who is in the best shape and can make the best start to the new season,” said the Yorkshire-born star who, like his brother, will be targeting Olympic qualification this year.

On the women’s side, reigning world champion Gwen Jorgensen is among the stars to have thrown their hats into the Abu Dhabi ring.

The 28-year-old is eager to have an impact on her debut in Abu Dhabi.

“This will be my first time racing in the UAE,” she said. “I am sure it will be a fantastic experience. I’m looking forward to the first race of the year.”

In 2014, Jorgensen was the first woman in the history of the ITU World Triathlon Series to win four consecutive races and the American will be looking to continue that winning streak in 2015.

“This stop in Abu Dhabi should be an exciting and memorable race on the series calendar. A breathtaking course and a stellar line-up of athletes are the perfect ingredients for an extraordinary race weekend,” added USA Triathlon’s Triathlete of the Year.

The organisers of the ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi have introduced a new event — The Aquathlon — that will take place on March 6 and features distances suitable for children from the age of three to 17.

To register for either The Aquathlon or the ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi, visit abudhabi.triathlon.org/enter.