Search
shop

Mix of highs and lows for British Olympic contenders at World Triathlon Indoor Cup Lievin

GTB led a strong contingent of British athletes at the World Triathlon Indoor Cup in Lievin.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

It was a rollercoaster weekend for Team GB at the World Triathlon Indoor Cup Lievin, as Georgia Taylor-Brown extended her podium streak with a brilliant second place finish, but other British athletes didn’t fare so well.

Out of the eight Brits competing, two made it through to the A final, with Vicky Holland and Hugo Milner the only athletes not to progress past the qualifying stages.

Racing in front of a packed stadium, which produced an electric atmosphere as the field made their way through heats, a semi-final and a final, the fast and furious ten minute contests were a brilliant spectacle.

“One hell of a show”

After a third place finish at the European Cup in Quarteira last weekend, GTB looked to keep the ball rolling in Lievin and did so brilliantly, challenging for the win until the dying moments in an intense battle with eventual winner Laura Lindemann.

Georgia Taylor-Brown WTCS Yokohama 2023 finish

“Ooo la la that was an incredible experience! Merci Lievin, you put on one hell of a show for us. My eyes burn, my throat is dry, my lungs feel like a smokers and my little feet need a good spa treatment!

“But, I am beyond happy with where my team have managed to get me after a difficult end to last year! An Olympic distance and a super sprint back to back.

“Definitely time for feet up, recovery and then we can start the hard work into Cagliari for the Olympic Qualification. Thank you to everyone in Lievin for making yesterday an unforgettable experience and so much fun.”

DSQ for Holland adds insult to injury

For Olympic bronze medalist Holland, a disqualification in the heats was the final straw of a tough week, with the Brit describing the past seven days as a “bad dream”.

Vicky Holland third place World Triathlon Cup Vina del Mar 2023 Photo credit: World Triathlon / Wagner Araujo
[Photo credit: World Triathlon / Wagner Araujo]

“Sickness after Hong Kong that’s been lingering all week, then the whole family got sick, including Emmie (obviously right on cue for the first time that both Rhys and I have left her with family, who are also now sick.) Haven’t been able to eat a proper meal all week.

“Felt like my health deteriorated again over the last 24h and wasn’t sure if I would start this morning. Started to pick up a bit, rallied, came 2nd in my heat… but wait, got a penalty for incorrectly racking my bike and didn’t realise, so finished the race without taking it = automatic DQ. My first ever.

“These bike racks aren’t normally used at this level of racing, but I acknowledge it is in the rules so it’s still my job to know. And of course, it’s my job to check the penalty board. Maybe I’m just low on sugar and sleep?! 

“So there it is, someone is trying to tell me something I think! This week has been one I’d rather forget and I don’t mind admitting I just feel deeply tired now. Going to allow my body, and mind, to fully recover for a few days before I think about triathlon again. I’ll be back, I just need a minute.”

Dickinson impresses against tough opposition

For the rest of the team, there were plenty of positives to takeaway from the weekend, with Samuel Dickinson making the A Final on the men’s side and eventually finishing in seventh.

Harry Leleu and Christopher Perham made the B Final, finishing in 14th and 16th respectively in the overall rankings, with Jack Willis just missing out on progressing from the Semi-Finals.

After last weekend’s win at the Europe Triathlon Cup in Quarteira, Milner just missed out on auto-qualifying from the heats and then again missed the Semi-Finals by a matter of seconds in the repechage.

Finally, Jessica Fullager raced strongly through the rounds, competing in the B Final and finishing in 12th place overall.

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Hayden Wilde bike supertri Boston 2024 photo credit supertri
Premium10 ways to make your road bike faster and more aero for triathlons
Kristian Blummenfelt photo credit: PTO Canadian Open
PremiumIs your gut health impacting your performance? The untapped potential of good gut health for triathletes
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
PremiumHas triathlon reached peak performance? Tri experts and legends on how much faster triathletes could get
latest News
Triathlon superstar Hayden Wilde to make shock comeback at London T100
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘Intimidating’ to go into Worlds after four months off – but Lionel Sanders up for the challenge
Georgia Taylor-Brown Alex Yee Super League Triathlon Malibu 2021
Triathlon’s most decorated Olympic duo now honoured by their former University
Olav Aleksander Bu Photo credit: Roj Ferman | Surpas
Top triathlon coach Olav Aleksander Bu says it’s all about the team after Uno-X bag first Tour de France win
Danielle Lewis (USA) takes the win in Lake Placid.
IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025: Date, start time, how to watch and who’s racing
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...