This is a preview of the World Triathlon Cup race in Wollongong, which was won by Luke Willian (AUS) and Tilda Mansson (SWE). You can read the race report here.
The best athletes in the world will head Down Under this weekend, as Australia hosts the fourth World Triathlon Cup of the season in Wollongong, New South Wales.
Featuring stars such as Australian Olympian Matt Hauser, recent World Triathlon Cup victor Sian Rainsley and former WTCS winners Jacob Birtwhistle and Richard Murray, the racing is set to be fast and furious over the sprint distance format.
In our preview piece below, you can find all the details on the race, including information on start times, how to follow live and who is likely to be competing for a spot on the podium in both races.
Start time and how to watch live
The action will kick off on Saturday April 20 in Wollongong, with the women racing first at 13:00 local time. This corresponds to 04:00 in the UK, 05:00 CET and 20:00 on the West Coast on Friday April 19.
For the men, their race will begin at 15:00 local time. This corresponds to 06:00 in the UK, 07:00 CET and 22:00 on the West Coast on Friday.
All the action will be available to watch live via Triathlonlive.tv
Elite Women
Leading the women’s field is Dutch athlete Rachel Klamer, with the World #17 looking to build off a 10th place finish at the Europe Triathlon Cup Quarteira last month as she prepares for the Paris Olympic Games.
Having already represented the Netherlands at two previous Olympics, Klamer is one of the most experienced athletes in the field, with multiple top level podiums to her name, including a second place finish at the World Triathlon Cup Karlovy Vary last season.
Top athletes joining her on the start list include Kiwi Ainsley Thorpe, third at the recent Oceania Triathlon Championship in Taupo, plus Australian Jaz Hedgeland, who finished fifth in the same event last weekend.
Rainsley, who will wear #25 for this race, is arguably the in-form athlete heading into Saturday and despite her low ranking will fancy her chances to take a second consecutive podium, especially when considering the commanding nature of her win in Hong Kong.
Rounding out the contenders is Swedish rising star Tilda Mansson, who two years ago won the Junior World title and has since established herself as a major player on the biggest stage, with three World Cup podiums to her name over the last 18 months.
Elite Men
On the men’s side, Hauser will be the clear favourite on home soil and will race off the back of a commanding win in Taupo last weekend, where he beat Taylor Reid to the Oceania title by almost half a minute.
Reid, along with Birtwhistle and Brandon Copeland, who was third last weekend, will make up the bulk of Hauser’s opponents, with Murray and German powerhouse Jonas Schomburg also in the hunt for the podium.
Callum McClusky, who upset Hayden Wilde to take the win at the World Triathlon Cup in Napier back in February will be another name to watch out for, in a relatively small World Cup field of only 35 men.
Elsewhere in the field, South African Jamie Riddle could have an impact on the race in the water, with other athletes proven at the World Cup level such as Chilean Diego Moya likely to factor on their day.
