Search
shop

WTCS Cagliari: Start lists unveiled by World Triathlon ahead of key Paris Olympics qualifier

Hayden Wilde (NZL) and Alex Yee (GBR) will go head-to-head once again at WTCS Cagliari, which plays a key role in Olympic Games selection for a number of nations.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

The start lists for the final Olympic distance WTCS event before the Paris Olympic Games have been announced, with the biggest contenders for Olympic gold slated to start in Sardinia.

WTCS Cagliari, which has produced some of the best battles the sport has seen in recent seasons, will take place two weeks after WTCS Yokohama on Saturday May 25.

With defending Olympic Champion Kristian Blummenfelt and reigning World Champion Beth Potter leading the start list, both races look set to produce fireworks.

Can GTB three-peat in Italy?

Whilst Potter will be the leading British star on the start list, her compatriot Georgia Taylor-Brown is the woman to beat on this course, having won the last two editions in 2022 and 2023.

Georgia Taylor-Brown, Cassandre Beaugrand, Beth Potter / WTCS Montreal 2022
[Photo Credit – World Triathlon]

Chasing Olympic selection and up against rivals Kate Waugh and Sophie Coldwell, as well as Potter, GTB will know that a third win in Cagliari would likely be enough to secure a spot on the plane to Paris.

However, she will also know that making the podium will be no easy feat, given the calibre of the other athletes on the start list, such as French threats Cassandre Beaugrand, Emma Lombardi and Leonie Periault.

Other big names include the American contingent, led by two-time IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion Taylor Knibb and Olympic medalist Katie Zaferes, plus Taylor Spivey, Summer Rappaport and Kirsten Kasper.

The women's podium at the 2024 Wollongong World Triathlon Cup.
[Photo Credit: Con Chronis / Aus Triathlon]

Finally, Paris medal hopefuls such as Laura Lindemann and Lisa Tertsch of Germany will be ones to watch out for, with recent World Triathlon Cup Wollongong winner Tilda Mansson another who cannot be overlooked.

Yee v Wilde II

Last year in Cagliari, two of the sports brightest flames, Alex Yee and Hayden Wilde, wowed triathlon fans with a battle for the ages, which was eventually won by Yee after a hard fought battle over 10km on the run.

Hayden Wilde / Alex Yee WTCS Cagliari 2023 run
[Photo Credit – World Triathlon]

This year, the pair will again be the favourites to battle it out for the top step of the podium, but as always, will be carefully watching several other rivals who will be hoping to make their mark.

The French squad in Cagliari, which feature four of the last five World Champions in Vincent Luis, Leo Bergere and Dorian Coninx, will be hoping to lay down a marker ahead of the home Olympic in Paris this summer.

Similarly, Olympic champion Blummenfelt will be aiming to underline his Paris credentials, as he attempts to regain competitiveness over the Olympic distance after moving up in distance between Tokyo and Paris.

Australian Matt Hauser, Portuguese Vasco Vilaca and Belgian duo Jelle Geens and Marten Van Riel are all podium contenders on their day, and their quality will simply add to the strength in depth this race has to offer.

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...