Bookmakers can’t agree who should be favourite for the men’s race at this weekend’s opening T100 Triathlon World Tour event in Miami.
In terms of the PTO World Rankings, Denmark’s Magnus Ditlev just leads the way as the #2.
And he’s Sky Bet’s market leader at 11/4, which gives him a predicted 27% chance of victory. Next with them comes world #3 Jason West at 7/2 (22%).
But Bet365 go firmly the other way – American star West, who won in Miami last season when it was CLASH Miami, is 5/2 and Ditlev can be backed at 4/1.
Alistair Brownlee a big outsider
It’s no surprise to see the markets so wide open given the stacked nature of the field and there are some big discrepancies elsewhere, not least around double Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee.
The Brit was to the fore for large parts of the race in a similarly strong field at the PTO European Open in Ibiza last season on what was a comeback from injury.
And speaking to Bob Babbitt on ‘Breakfast With Bob’, embedded below, he said of his current condition: “I’m actually really happy with where I’m at. I’ve had a good last month or so training in Spain but that said, I know it’s the start of a long season so I’m trying to take it very steady – which is not like me! I’m not super fit but I’m healthy and I’ll give it my best shot.”
He’s very much respected by Sky Bet at 8/1, with only Ditlev, West and Mathis Margirier ahead of him in their betting.
But he’s one of the big outsiders with Bet365 at 25/1.
Battle of the Brits
There’s far more agreement between the oddsmakers in the women’s race, with reigning IRONMAN World Champion Lucy Charles-Barclay the clear favourite.
None of the women who have beaten her in previous PTO events – Anne Haug, Ashleigh Gentle, Chelsea Sodaro, Imogen Simmonds and Taylor Knibb – are present in Miami so it looks like a fine chance for victory.
She’s as short as 9/4 with Sky Bet, though Bet365 quote her at 7/2.
And some of her biggest threats look to come from fellow Brits if the betting is to be believed.
Last year’s IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship runner-up Kat Matthews is 6/1 with Sky Bet.
Emma Pallant-Browne is 13/2 and Lucy Byram, who really announced herself on the world stage with victory in Miami 12 months ago, is 7/1.
All of them are ahead of legend of the sport Daniela Ryf (8/1) as she begins her final season before retirement.
And further down the list there’s a difference of opinion over one of the fastest runners in Tamara Jewett. The Canadian is 9/1 with Sky Bet but 33/1 at Bet365.
