Swim caps and cycle helmets off to the people behind ITU’s debut in the Gulf with the triathlon in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, which proved to be a successful first outing.

There were concerns ahead of the event that it ‘wouldn’t be as good’ as its exhibition predecessor, the Abu Dhabi International Triathlon, which had been much-loved, and well supported, over the previous years.

Changes there were a plenty for 2015, gone were the laps around the Yas Island’s formula one track for the olympic and long distance triathletes, gone were the huge communal transition / changing tents with individual pegs for your gear, gone were the pasta-laden briefings at the Hiltonia and the registration at the Rotana Khalidiya Palace.

In its place we got ITU’s more stripped down, efficient organisation. This was a real triathlon with real rankings up for grabs and the frills and fripperies removed, all your…