The 26-year-old has finished second for the past two years but boasts a 390-point lead over Fernando Alarza in the standings, but will move further clear as his countryman is sitting out the sprint distance event.

Mola will be also looking for the perfect tonic having missed out on an Olympic medal at Rio 2016 where he finished in eighth place.

Britain’s Jonathan Brownlee, winner of the Olympic silver medal behind his brother Alistair last month, will be out to stop Mola from claiming a fifth World Series win of the season.

After his disqualification at the last series event in Hamburg, Richard Murray will be seeking redemption in Edmonton, with the South African aiming for a repeat of his victory from last year’s event in the Canadian city.

Newly-crowned women’s Olympic champion Gwen Jorgensen is sitting out the race, but the American challenge is still expected to be strong.

Sarah True and Katie Zaferes will look to make the most of their compatriot’s absence, with the latter hoping to replicate her sprint distance triumph in Hamburg.

Bermuda’s Flora Duffy will hope to move a step closer to winning the overall series title.

She has nearly a 400 point advantage over Britain’s Jodie Stimpson in the standings.

Stimpson will be joined by fellow Briton’s Vicky Holland and Non Stanford, with the duo coming in fresh from their battle for bronze at the Olympic Games, won by the former.

The event is the final stop before the Grand Final, due to take place in Cozumel in Mexico on September 17 and 18.