BATTLING hot temperatures in the Middle East are on the cards again for Cornish triathlete Mark Lewarne – with a little help from Jenson Button.

The Team GB athlete will be heading out to Dubai later this month as he begins his training for several races in the Emirate and also in Abu Dhabi heading into 2015.

His schedule includes defending his Abu Dhabi YAS Triathlon title and is taking part in the Dubai Super Series, which he won silver in last year.

While the Redruth man is abroad, he will be meeting up with Formula One driver Button to help the 2009 World Champion train.

They met after the Penryn College teacher’s success in Abu Dhabi as Button, who is a keen triathlete in his spare time, was looking for someone to help hone his skills.

Lewarne said: “Jenson had been looking for someone who knew how to handle the conditions in Dubai for triathlons and who could help him train out there.

“He is a very good athlete and is actually a bit better at cycling than I am, although I’m stronger at swimming and can catch him up on the run.

“Jenson works really hard and as well as helping him out, I actually get a lot from being with him too because he is good and pushes me.

“Since last year I’ve been speaking to him on and off and he is due to be coming out to Dubai in November just before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, so we’ll be doing some training together again.”

Looking ahead to the races he will be competing in over the next few months, Lewarne said he is hopeful he can produce some good performances and score some podium finishes.

He said the key to being successful in the Emirates was keeping energised and hydrated in the heat.

“At the moment the temperature is about 44 degrees in the day and can hit 38 at night,” Lewarne said.

“Obviously these conditions play a massive part when you race and the difficulty is it makes it hard to train during the day as it is so hot.

“You need to keep hydrated, but it is important to keep energy levels up with the right sorts of salt tablets and gels as you’re using up so much to battle through the heat.

“I am really looking forward to the races coming up in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi though and I hope to be pushing for medals again.”

Lewarne will be at Gyllyngvase beach on Sunday for the annual triathlon with a team of Penryn pupils he had been training.