Hamish Carter accepts there are no free tickets to next year's Commonwealth Games - not even for Olympic champions.
Mindful of that, Carter puts his feet back on the startline on Saturday to defend his New Zealand Xterra title in Rotorua.
The adidas-sponsored race, starting and finishing at the Blue
Lake, begins with a 1km swim followed by a 30km mountain bike ride and an 11km run over mountain trails.
"It is time to race again," said Carter, who has been back training for the past three months after an extended lay-off following his Athens Olympic triathlon triumph.
"That seems like a lifetime ago. It will be rusty, nasty, but I have to be racing.
"The Xterra is tough but it is what triathlon is all about. There will be people of all abilities at the start and that makes it enjoyable. It ... will be a good starting point for me."
Two weeks on and Carter will get serious when he contests a World Cup triathlon over the Olympic distance in Mooloolaba.
"Everything is geared towards the World Championships in Japan in September," said Carter.
"The first New Zealander will be guaranteed a spot in the team for Melbourne [next year's Commonwealth Games].
"After that there will be two spots up for grabs at a race in Australia. That's it. It will be very difficult to make the Games team."
Joining Carter in Saturday's race will be fellow Athens Olympian Sam Warriner, who will be challenged in the women's race by 2000 Sydney Olympian and 2003 Xterra winner Evelyn Williamson, defending champion Sonia Foote and Heather Evans, who finished fourth in the 2002 Commonwealth Games triathlon.
