Seven-time world champion and six-time European champion Pavel Andreev is favourite to win the men's event at the ETU Winter Triathlon European Championships ©Getty Images

Romania's Cheile Grădiştei will host the European Triathlon Union (ETU) Winter Triathlon European Championships with action beginning tomorrow.

The venue is located above Dracula's castle in the Romanian resort of Cheile Grădiştei.

It has played host to winter triathlon events previously, welcoming the 2018 International Triathlon Union (ITU) Winter Triathlon World Championships and the 2017 ETU Wintertriathlon European Cup.

Athletes will compete in a 7.5 kilometres run before a 13.25km mountain bike leg and a 10km cross-country ski in a bid to become European champion.

The men and women's events will take place tomorrow, with the 2x2 mixed relay on Sunday (February 24).


The women's competition is expected to be dominated by Russia's Daria Rogozina and Yulia Surikova.

Rogozina was recently crowned world champion at the ITU Winter Triathlon World Championships in Asiago earlier this month, with former world champion Surikova finishing second.

Seven-time world champion and six time European champion Pavel Andreev will be challenged by fellow Russians Dmitriy Bregeda and Pavel Yakimov, as well as Italy's Daniel Antonioli.

The winners of the men and women's competition will receive €450 (£391/$510) in prize money.