World Triathlon has announced a location change to the World Triathlon Championship Series leg in Italy, with Cagliari ceasing to be the event’s home venue.
Last year’s races in Cagliari were won by Alex Yee and Cassandre Beaugrand, but they’ll have to get used to a new course this year with the third race in the WTCS 2025 schedule moved across the Italian island to the town of Alghero.
It brings to an end a seven-year stint for World Triathlon events taking place in Cagliari; the WTCS race has taken place for the last three years, with World Cup events occurring the four years before.
‘Exciting’ new location
“I want to thank the Italian Triathlon Federation for their incredible support in hosting the World Triathlon Championship Series event in Alghero, Sardinia,” President Elect of World Triathlon Antonio Arimany said on the move.
“After more than 8 years on this beautiful island, we are excited to move to a new race location while continuing to work with the same experienced organisers who have been instrumental in our success.
“Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our sport.”
World Triathlon’s statement indicated that the decision was ultimately initiated by the Italian Triathlon Federation and local organisers, with the Italian leg of WTCS now taking place in Alghero on May 31.
“Let’s kick off a new Olympic cycle that will lead us to the Los Angeles 2028 Games with the launch of the WTCS in Alghero”, President of the Italian Triathlon Federation Riccardo Giubilei said.
“I’d like to thank everyone working in partnership with the Italian Triathlon Federation to create an event that has become a landmark on the world calendar and has delivered immense excitement.
“Many thanks to the Italian Government, Minister of Sport Andrea Abodi, the Sardinian Region, and World Triathlon for this synergy that continues to ensure quality and growth in both Italian and international triathlon.
“In May, we eagerly await the world’s best female and male triathletes to come together and experience the season’s third WTCS on the magnificent island of Sardinia”.
‘Optimal’ conditions
The move takes the WTCS race away from the biggest town on Sardinia, but Italian Ministry of Sport Andrea Abodi described the new host town as having “optimal” conditions for the event.
“The incorporation of Alghero among the stages of the WTCS for the next three years represents a goal achieved, which allows the splendid Sardinian town and the entire region to become a world showcase for one of the toughest and most exciting disciplines, with the prospect of opening a cycle through which to always offer something more to the international circuit,” Abodi explained.
“Alghero not only presents the optimal climatic and landscape conditions for hosting an Olympic distance triathlon race, but also offers the charm of a ‘four seasons’ tourist and hospitality offer, fueled by the wealth of cultural and environmental content that, in the month of May, will offer the best to athletes, coaches, teams and fans who will reach Sardinia from all over the world.”
“WTCS Alghero is an extraordinary opportunity to promote Sardinia as a sports destination of excellence, capable of combining top-level competitions with the beauty of the territory,” added Franco Cuccureddu, head of tourism in Sardinia.
“We are proud to host this event that strengthens the positioning of our island in the international stage, enhancing not only our coasts, but also the culture and hospitality that distinguish us.
“Sports tourism is a strategic pillar to attract visitors throughout the year and we will continue to invest in prestigious events like this one.”
More information about the new course maps and a detailed scheduled will be released in the coming weeks, World Triathlon said.
Racing to keep up: Is social media making us train harder?
