They say home is where the heart is, and a host of stars including Kate Waugh and Georgia Taylor-Brown will be aiming to prove it next month.
The pair are part of a strong British line-up competing for a home win at the London T100 on August 9-10 – with Waugh leading the way as she’s third in the Race to Qatar rankings after her win in Singapore.
By contrast, Taylor-Brown, who is Britain’s most decorated female Olympic triathlete, is a wildcard after returning to the sport at WTCS Hamburg last weekend following a stint in road and gravel bike racing. This is her first T100 race.
“Fresh start”
Waugh said: “It’s great to be a part of the T100 Tour this year. The series has allowed me a fresh start in many ways. I’ve enjoyed the head-to-head racing and it’s been noticeable and motivating that T100 races are won by the leading athletes.
“I’m looking forward to racing in London and trying to secure another victory to go with my success in Singapore – but this time on home soil.”
Switzerland’s Julie Derron currently leads the T100 rankings with reigning world champion Taylor Knibb of the USA just behind her. Both will be competing in London – with Waugh gunning for Knibb’s crown this year.
She said: “I’ve got a huge amount of respect for Taylor Knibb and what she’s achieved in winning the first T100 World Championship last year, but on the race track my goal has to be to dethrone her this season.”
Full start list
Nine leading Brits in all will be taking part, with four sitting pretty in the top ten on the leaderboard – Waugh, Jess Learmouth, Lucy Charles-Barclay and Holly Lawrence.
Lucy Byram, India Lee, and wildcards Taylor-Brown, Lizzie Rayner and Kate Curran make up the rest of the British contingent looking to feed off the home crowd.
Taylor-Brown’s first middle-distance event was the 70.3 Bahrain last November, which she won, and she will be sure to mount a challenge, while Aussie Ashleigh Gentle, who won the London T100 last year, is back for more.
The full list of women competing in London is:
Julie Derron (SUI)
Taylor Knibb (USA)
Kate Waugh (GBR)
Jessica Learmonth (GBR)
Lucy Charles-Barclay (GBR)
Ashleigh Gentle (AUS)
Holly Lawrence (GBR) – Wildcard
Lucy Byram (GBR)
Lisa Perterer (AUT) – Wildcard
Hannah Berry (NZL)
Daniela Kleiser (GER) – Wildcard
Ellie Salthouse (AUS)
Els Visser (NED)
Hanne De Vet (BEL) – Wildcard
India Lee (GBR)
Caroline Pohle (GER)
Laura Madsen (DEN)
Lizzie Rayner (GBR) – Wildcard
Kate Curran (GBR) – Wildcard
Georgia Taylor-Brown (GBR) – Wildcard
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