The World Triathlon Championship Series returns with a bang this weekend. The acquainted environment of the well-known Yas Marina F1 observe await at WTCS Abu Dhabi, a fascinating, quick and ferocious season opener.
October’s decisive Pontevedra Championship ultimate could really feel like a very long time in the past, however the reminiscences of victory will nonetheless be recent for defending champion Dorian Koninx. Of course, the Frenchman will start his title protection on Friday sporting the prized No. 1 shirt, however he can be nicely conscious that these round him will need to see him win the crown.
As a sign of how vital this race is, have a look at the truth that solely Pierre Le Collet was lacking from the highest ten on the finish of the final marketing campaign. In reality, he and Jelle Janes are the one two to not begin within the prime 20 general in 2023, with the Belgian contender having lately given start to her first youngster.
So if there was ever a time to ship a warning message to the world’s greatest corporations and set up key credentials for the massive 2024, it is undoubtedly now. As all the time, you’ll find full protection on TriathlonDwell.television.
6 Stop Series Offers Risk and Reward
A 750m marina swim transitions down the observe’s house straight, then a 5x4km quick lap and a rolling bike course earlier than a 2×2.5km lap run to the tape. Last yr, Britain’s Alex Yee set the report in 52 minutes and 53 seconds. Can he recreate his early-season kind?
It was Coninx who adopted his teammate Vincent Lewis 12 months in the past, however then the 2 essential bike teams met on the midway level and with 5 minutes left, Yee made a decisive surge on the ultimate hill. confirmed and broke the sphere. .
Is anybody able to roll the cube on the primary day of this Olympic yr and pressure an early exit that may hold gamers like Yi at bay for so long as doable, following the most effective administration of Cornynx final season?
An previous rivalry is poised to resurface
In the boys’s subject, there’s as soon as once more a powerful divide between the highest gamers and the highest runners, and if the previous can keep their breakout this time, Hayden Wilde, Christian Blumenfeld and Yi can be below plenty of strain early on. there’s a risk.
Wilde had some nice swims all through 2023, however this yr he began the yr with a weak 750m efficiency within the ocean on the Napier World Cup, ending third-to-last simply as he swam right here 12 months in the past. surfaced. His race was little greater than a mid-run hitout resulting from a flat tire, however the world No. 2 now is aware of he can push Yi over 5km and that is precisely what followers anticipated on Friday. I’m positive you are doing it.
Vasco Vilaca additionally repeatedly proved his operating skill in 2023, solely to be waved off within the closing phases by Yi right here final yr, and this weekend two extra main contenders, Manoel Mesias and that man Luis, will cross the end line. chased. The two-time world champion can be eager to benefit from this chance to shine for the French selectors, who is not going to be that includes Le Collet.
Similar to Lewis, probably the most balanced athletes in all three segments is Australia’s Matthew Hauser, who received his first race in Montreal final yr, and the identical may be stated for Kenji Nennell, though the Japanese quantity Wang remains to be aiming for his first podium within the sequence.
Another prize within the highlight: a beginning spot on the 2024 Paris Olympics
Hungary goals to defend its third males’s spot on the Paris Olympics. Rounding out the highest 30 are Songor Lehmann (eighth), Bence Bisak (twenty fourth) and Mark Devai (twenty sixth), adopted by Gabor Fardum (thirty third). All 4 will begin in Abu Dhabi.
Spain can also be aiming for the third males’s spot. Antonio Cerrato Seoane (14th) and Roberto Sánchez Mantecon (twentieth) are secure, however Sergio Baxter Cabrera (thirty second), David Castro Fajardo (thirty fifth) and Alberto González García (thirty sixth) are secure. One of the highest 30 gamers will have to be within the prime 30. . Of the three, solely Castro and rising star David Cantero del Campo will race in Abu Dhabi.
The German squad appears to be like robust once more, with Tim Helwig and Las Ruas main the way in which, whereas U23 world champion Simon Henseleit confirmed explosive expertise final yr.
Matthew McElroy and Seth Ryder are the one two Americans to start out, with the previous posting his greatest WTCS lead to 4 years in 2023, and the opposite beginning in Paris. He is making an attempt to carve his place on the pontoon.
Men’s WTCS Abu Dhabi
March eighth 6pm
Click right here for the entire begin record
Watch on TriathlonDwell.television