"But anything can happen in triathlon.
"There is pressure being regarded as the favourite but I know I have a good track record of performing under pressure.
"I am experienced and I know how to race over the half ironman distance so I back myself ... I know I'll need to be at my best to win."
Apart from a disappointing result at Kona where he placed 20th, the Kiwi triathlete has had a phenomenal year as he matures as an ironman.
"I wake up in the morning and I feel old," said Bozzone laughing.
He has been training for five weeks following a two week break after Kona.
"I am maturing all the time and feel like in 2011 I can achieve bigger and better things."
This year, Bozzone won half ironman events at Rhode Island, Texas, Eagleman and St Croix and placed second at Philippines, New Orleans, Buffalo Springs, Rev3 Half Ironman, Rev3 Olympic and the Ironman New Zealand in Taupo.
It is the last event of that list that motivates Bozzone the most as he looks to upset the king of the ironman, Cameron Brown who in March won his ninth title in 10 years. in Taupo.
Bozzone has finished second in consecutive years at Ironman New Zealand, and this year, heading into the run, was in a good position to dethrone Brown.
Brown was third before the 42.2km marathon trailing the leader Bozzone by more than a minute but the 37-year-old veteran ran superbly to reel in his younger rival.
"I learnt that I need to pace myself," said Bozzone.
"Cameron Brown is a legend of the sport and he is almost unbeatable on that course.
"I had a nine minute lead on the bike and lost all of it, so I am hoping to learn from that and with more patience and strength give him a tougher challenge in 2011."
Bozzone regards the Taupo Half Ironman as a warm-up for winning his first ironman title.
"In ironman terms, I'm still really young but I'm ready," Bozzone said.
His coach for the past 10 years, , John Ackland, says: "If we keep building up his endurance over the next few years then a win in ironman is just a matter of time."
"The hardest thing for Terenzo is to pull back his training."
Bozzone loves competing at the mecca of outdoor sport in Taupo, and what the Half Ironman distance offers. "Ironman specialists have the edge in terms of endurance and the half ironman athletes have the edge in terms of speed so it's a good contest and all about getting that balance right."
The course includes a 2km swim, 90km bike ride and a 21.1km run.
"A half ironman is certainly a tough challenge for the body but it's a lot easier to recover from."
About 1200 athletes are expected to compete in the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Taupo Half Ironman, which begins at 6.30am at the Taupo Yacht Club.
The number of individual entries is up to 730 from 493 last year.
More than 400 people are taking part in two or three person teams bringing the total entries to around 1200 total participants.
Entries have come from 13 countries for the event, which is well regarded around the world.
"Entries have well exceeded those of last year," said event director Wayne Reardon.
"The presence of the likes of the Terenzo and Keegan helps raise the profile of the Taupo Half Ironman which is cementing its place as the biggest and most popular half in the country."
While Bozzone is regarded as the favourite for the Taupo Half Ironman he is well aware that favouritism counts for little this morning.
Taupo Half Ironman
Terenzo Bozzone has competed in the Taupo Half Ironman only once, in 2004 when he won and broke the course record.
A new course will be used today.
The course includes a 2km swim, 90km bike ride, and a 21.1km run.
Almost 1200 athletes of all abilities will compete in the Taupo Half Ironman today.Terenzo Bozzone won his last Taupo Half Ironman; six years later, he's top pick again.
