Search
shop

Mixed Relay changes and more tweaks from World Triathlon

Mixed Relay Triathlon will have a new look from 2022, while the clip-on tri bar will soon be gone from draft-legal racing with new World Triathlon rules
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Interesting news in from the Executive Board of World Triathlon, which will see some notable changes to the format of Elite racing from 2022.

Ladies first? Not any more!

Following on from what was a huge (and successful) year for the Mixed Relay format of triathlon, making its debut on the Olympic Games programme in such fine style, Mixed Team Relay will look a little different for at least the next three years.

‘Applicable on all levels of events’ – and thus including the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games – there will be a new order of racing. Previously fixed, up until the end of 2024 (and incorporating the Paris 2024 Olympic Games), the Mixed Relay will now be held on man-woman-man-woman format.

While we have become used to the likes of Jess Learmonth making leg one her signature, often breaking the field up with her powerful swim, those skills will now have to be used on legs two or four of the race.

Jessica Learmonth
Jess Learmonth will no longer lead off in the Mixed Relay.

Ever since the announcement that the Mixed Relay would form part of the Olympic Games programme, we have seen significant progress and focus on the discipline with an understanding of racing tactics and particular roles becoming clearer in optimising team performance. It’s something we even wrote about ahead of Tokyo.

This change will, at the very least, provide fresh impetus for federations to work on race planning and strategy and assess whether particular combinations of athletes and formations will provide the best result.

It will be interesting to see how, if at all, the flow of racing changes.

Tokyo 2019 Mixed Relay
Mixed Relay sprint finishes will have a different look from 2022 to 2024

Au Revoir to the clip-on bar

In the context for draft-legal racing, Chris Hovenden wrote an interesting article for us last year entitled, To clip-on or not to clip-on (tri bars), that is the question!

We can answer that one now – and the answer is no. The minutiae of the changes aren’t fully clear yet, but World Triathlon has announced that, ‘Clip ons on draft legal races are to be forbidden from 2023 and some cycling positions with immediate effect.’

Casper Stornes Tokyo 2020

Clip-ons are already prohibited in age-group drafting races and, on a personal level at least, I have no problem with simplifying the rules and getting rid of them entirely in draft-legal racing.

In the lead up to Tokyo in particular, there was clearly a lot of investment being made by some nations – and why not, they absolutely can work well and are totally within the rules as currently existing – but I quite like that this is something which adds simplicity, and also consistency with the amateurs within the sport.

Great Britain Womens Triathlon Team Olympics Tokyo 2020

I tend to err towards the view expressed by Tom Bishop (and similarly backed up by Mark Buckingham), when Chris was compiling that clip-on bar analysis earlier this year, namely:

“I personally feel they [clip-on bars] don’t belong in short course drafting races. It’s too dangerous. The course designers are creating technically challenging courses with more corners etc., so using tri-bars becomes more risky. It’s hugely course dependant. But really, I feel we should be following UCI [professional cycling] rules.”
Tom Bishop

“I don’t think they add any extra entertainment value and pose more risks than benefits to the user and other athletes around them. What unsettles me most are athletes who use them in the bunch. You just can’t get to your brakes quick enough, and so have to slam on, your turning ability is limited in case you have to change line quickly, and if you hit a pot hole, you have about half as much stability as you would on your drops or hoods.”
Mark Buckingham

Triathlon is a sport which has historically embraced technological changes, but in this instance, I think the governing body have made a wise move.

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
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
Lovseth Perterer Sanchez IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
Rising Norwegian star underlines Kona claims and says that’s now the big goal
Vincent Luis San Francisco 49ers tri suit 2025
Short-course triathlon great Vincent Luis is OUT of T100 London
Marquardt Hogenhaug Foley IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
‘World Championship level’ – Marquardt says bike bar was raised at Lake Placid
Solveig Lovseth wins IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025 women’s results: Løvseth shows she’s the real deal and next Norwegian superstar
Matthew Marquardt wins IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025 men’s results: Marquardt wins as defending champ EXPLODES on the run
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...