A weekend of races

The Bahrain Victorious 13 team once again assemble on the world stage to take on the World Triathlon Championship Series Finals in Torremolinos, Andalucia, Spain as well as the Las Vegas T100 Triathlon this weekend.

Kicking off the action on Friday, Paris Paralympic gold medallist Lauren Parker returns to paratriathlon racing for the title defence. Already a four-time world champion in this event, should Parker win it will be an historic fourth consecutive and fifth world title for her, but admittedly a difficult one on a limited preparation following an extended break post Paris.

On Saturday, Paris Olympic gold medallist Cassandre Beaugrand goes into the women’s individual triathlon final as the top-ranked athlete in the points race that determines who wins the Series. Should she win or come second in the race, she would equal what only Flora Duffy has achieved before: be the reigning Olympic champion and also take the WTCS crown in the same year.

Ten other athletes also stand a chance at making the series podium including Bahrain Victorious 13 teammates Georgia Taylor-Brown and Kate Waugh.

The men’s race on Sunday is a must-win for Hayden Wilde to have a crack at the world title. The Paris Olympic silver medallist is currently ranked third and will need to shut down all other contenders. With Vincent Luis also a podium contender and Max Stapley in the racing mix, this will be a Grand Final that will have all on the edge of their seats.

In middle-distance racing, Alistair Brownlee will once again take on the T100 Triathlon series, this time in Las Vegas. Starting to hit his racing stride once more, he will look to improve on his fourth-place finish from Ibiza three weeks ago. Joining him on the starting line are Henri Schoeman and Max Neumann.

Photo credit: World Triathlon