Search
shop

Three-time World Champion Mario Mola kicks season off in Venice-Caorle

Can he DU it? Mario Mola starts 2023 on Saturday at the European Duathlon Championships in Venice-Caorle
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Spanish triathlon legend Mario Mola will begin his 2023 season at the European Duathlon Championships this weekend in Venice-Caorle. The race marks the first European title up for grabs in 2023, with competitors racing over the sprint distance (5km / 20km / 2.5km).

Mola, who has struggled over the past three years to find the same form that propelled him to the top of the world for three consecutive seasons between 2016-18, will hope a win in Italy could be the catalyst for a major comeback ahead of the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.

A rocky road

At just 33 years old, Mola still undoubtedly has time left at the top of the sport. The triple world champion, who also finished second in the 2019 WTCS series, has since the pandemic had to deal with periods of inconsistency that have prevented him from returning to the top of his game.

World Triathlon Series Edmonton 2018 / Mario Mola / Weekend Preview

Between the 2019 Grand Final in Lausanne, where he finished second, and the 2022 Grand Final in Abu Dhabi, where he finished 39th, Mola finished just nine World Triathlon races, with a 10th place finish at the Tokyo Olympics and two World Cup podiums in Arzachena (2021) and Valencia (2022) the high points in a rocky three years of racing.

At the World Triathlon Championship Series level, a competition Mola once dominated, the Spaniard’s highest finish was 36th at WTCS Hamburg in 2022, with the other three results comprising of two DNF’s and that 39th in Abu Dhabi at the end of last year.

Whilst Mola’s run pedigree, which has always been his strength, is still strong (10th fastest run split at the 2022 Grand Final), his weakness in the water on the WTCS scene kept being exposed last season by a new crop of athletes, who keep pushing the pace on the swim and the bike.

Can he make his fourth Olympics?

Following his 10th place at the Tokyo Games, Mola made it clear that he intended to continue working towards his dream of an Olympic medal in Paris. Posting on his Instagram, he said, “Back home after another Olympic experience. No reward this time, but glad to have raced at a good level once again. Three years ahead to get back to my best version…or did you doubt it? See you in Paris.”

Mario Mola
Photo Credit – Tommy Zaferes/World Triathlon

Currently, Mola sits 82nd in the Olympic Qualification Rankings, and is the seventh ranked Spaniard. As it stands and based on his form in 2022, Mola will face an uphill battle to qualify for the Games, let alone medal in Paris.

However, a second place finish at the Valencia World Cup last September, ahead of the likes of Matt McElroy of the USA and most importantly fellows Spaniards Antonio Serrat Seoane, David Castro Fajardo and Roberto Sanchez Mantecon, proves that Mola still has what it takes to be at the front of big races. A 14:22 5km split shows that he has what it takes on the run to win, too.

After becoming a father in 2022 and seemingly relocating back to Spain and switching to a different coaching set up and training environment following the Tokyo Olympics, it’s understandable that consistency was hard to find for Mola last season.

The 2022 Valencia World Cup result proved that he can be competitive, and this Saturday’s race in Venice-Caorle will give Mola an opportunity to prove that his bike and run combination is still one to be feared ahead of what looks likely to be an intense period of racing as he chases the Olympic dream for the fourth time.

If he successfully qualifies for the Paris Olympics, and goes on to realise his dream of medaling, his achievements over the sprint and olympic distance would stack up well next to those of another Spanish great, Javier Gomez. Only time will tell.

The men and women’s elite race at the European Duathlon Championships in Venice-Caorle will take place on Saturday, March 18th, with the full start lists and event information available here.

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...