[ad_1]
The World Triathlon Championship Series returns with a bang this weekend. The familiar surroundings of the famous Yas Marina F1 track await at WTCS Abu Dhabi, an engaging, fast and ferocious season opener.
October’s decisive Pontevedra Championship final may feel like a long time ago, but the memories of victory will still be fresh for defending champion Dorian Koninx. Of course, the Frenchman will begin his title defense on Friday wearing the prized No. 1 jersey, but he will be well aware that those around him will want to see him win it.
As an indication of how important this race is, look at the fact that only Pierre Le Collet was missing from the top ten at the end of the last campaign. In fact, he and Jelle Janes are the only two not to start in the top 20 overall in 2023, with the Belgian contender having recently given birth to her first child.
So if ever there was a time to send a warning message to the world’s best companies and establish key credentials for the big 2024, it’s definitely now. As always, you can find complete coverage on TriathlonLive.tv.
6 Stop Series Offers Risk and Reward
A 750m marina swim transitions down the track’s home straight, then a 5x4km fast lap and a rolling bike course before a 2×2.5km lap run to the tape. Last year, Britain’s Alex Yee set the record in 52 minutes and 53 seconds. Can he recreate his early-season form?
It was Coninx who followed his teammate Vincent Lewis 12 months ago, but then the two main bike groups met at the halfway point and with five minutes left, Yee made a decisive surge on the final hill. showed and broke the field. .
Is anyone ready to roll the dice on the first day of this Olympic year and force an early exit that will keep players like Yi at bay for as long as possible, following the best management of Cornynx last season?
An old rivalry is poised to resurface
In the men’s field, there is once again a strong divide between the top players and the top runners, and if the former can maintain their breakout this time, Hayden Wilde, Christian Blumenfeld and Yi will be under a lot of pressure early on. there is a possibility.
Wilde had some great swims throughout 2023, but this year he started the year with a weak 750m performance in the ocean at the Napier World Cup, finishing third-to-last just as he swam here 12 months ago. surfaced. His race was little more than a mid-run hitout due to a flat tire, but the world No. 2 now knows he can push Yi over 5km and that’s exactly what fans expected on Friday. I’m sure you’re doing it.
Vasco Vilaca also repeatedly proved his running ability in 2023, only to be waved off in the closing stages by Yi here last year, and this weekend two more major contenders, Manoel Mesias and that man Luis, will cross the finish line. chased after. The two-time world champion will be keen to make the most of this opportunity to shine for the French selectors, who will not be featuring Le Collet.
Similar to Lewis, one of the most balanced athletes in all three segments is Australia’s Matthew Hauser, who won his first race in Montreal last year, and the same can be said for Kenji Nennell, although the Japanese number Wang is still aiming for his first podium in the series.
Another prize in the spotlight: a starting spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Hungary aims to defend its third men’s spot at the Paris Olympics. Rounding out the top 30 are Songor Lehmann (8th), Bence Bisak (24th) and Mark Devai (26th), followed by Gabor Fardum (33rd). All four will start in Abu Dhabi.
Spain is also aiming for the third men’s spot. Antonio Cerrato Seoane (14th) and Roberto Sánchez Mantecon (20th) are safe, but Sergio Baxter Cabrera (32nd), David Castro Fajardo (35th) and Alberto González García (36th) are safe. One of the top 30 players will need to be in the top 30. . Of the three, only Castro and rising star David Cantero del Campo will race in Abu Dhabi.
The German squad looks strong again, with Tim Helwig and Las Ruas leading the way, while U23 world champion Simon Henseleit showed explosive talent last year.
Matthew McElroy and Seth Ryder are the only two Americans to start, with the former posting his best WTCS result in four years in 2023, and the other starting in Paris. He is trying to carve his place on the pontoon.
Men’s WTCS Abu Dhabi
March 8th 6pm
Click here for the complete start list
Watch on TriathlonLive.tv
[ad_2]
Source link
