World Triathlon

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Tune in, get ahead, stay out

Matthew Hauser put together a brilliant race for the first WTCS victory of his career. First out of the swim, driving the bike to stay out of trouble, then picking his moment to deliver the decisive move, his post-race interview summed up nicely how well prepared he was and how finely tuned his instincts are right now; “You have to react in the moment. I knew the other guys were settling into a rhythm and I couldn’t let that happen and the sooner I went the better… luckily enough I was able to break them up.” He is now 5th in the rankings and rising fast.

There’s noone hotter than Potter in 2023

Victory at the season opener in Abu Dhabi back in March was followed by a second gold in Montreal for Beth Potter, who hadn’t won a Series race before 2023 and is now the only athlete to have scooped two golds so far this campaign. Out of the water with a 34-second deficit to the front, even all the hard work she put in on the bike didn’t prevent the Scot bringing out another trademark devastating 5km run and continuing the British dominance of the top spot on the podium this year.

Juggling two sports won’t come easy

Cycling team Trek-Segafredo’s latest signing Taylor Knibb missed the athlete briefing in Montreal because of a US time-trial race. That incurred a 10-second penalty in T1, and though she did her best to lessen the impact by hammering the swim and uphill run into transition, only after the 10 seconds could she take off the wetsuit and think about hitting the bike. In true Knibb style, she was straight onto the gas of course, stretching out the lead group from the front then pulling away with only Summer Rappaport for company at the start of lap two for the remainder of the 20km ride before the legs possibly inevitably tired over the run but still took her home in 6th.

Katie Zaferes is back on the attack

The USA’s Katie Zaferes has had a tough route back to the WTCS start line, and had to head to Montreal on the waiting list and with no guarantee of racing. Fast forward a couple of days and with her berth assured, Zaferes was determined to make the most of her opportunity. Seventh out of the water, she was patient on the bike in the main chase group and then went through the gears over the 5km to post the 4th fastest run of the day, out-running the likes of Georgia Taylor-Brown and Taylor Knibb to take an excellent 5th place.

Cant Keep a good man down

Vasco Vilaça was wearing the number one again in Montreal, and keeps his nose ahead in the overall Series rankings despite coming off on the bike and having to fight through the pain to finish in 30th place and maintain the top spot. He’s got a taste for the champagne that accompanies the Series Leader trophy, could he be the one drinking it again at the Championship Finals??