The seventh round of the ITU World Triathlon Series takes place in Hamburg over the sprint distance this weekend. Britain’s women lead the charge with Non Stanford, Vicky Holland and Jodie Stimpson lined up against the current Series leaders.
Stimpson returned to competition last weekend in Geneva following an injury that put her out of action after the opening round of the Series in March. She was ninth at the ETU European Championships, and would have finished higher up if it wasn’t for a flat tyre on the bike leg. She then helped the Great Britain team to bronze in the Mixed Relay event the following day.
Stimpson said: “Geneva was a good test of fitness and this weekend will again be part of my preparation for the Rio Test Event. Hamburg always puts on a good show for the spectators that and that really spurs everyone on to some great racing.”
Holland is the highest ranked British woman thanks to her maiden win in Cape Town and fifth place finish in London’s Hyde Park. She finished seventh in Hamburg last year.
Stanford, the former ITU world champion, continues her come back from a lengthy injury absence. She has enjoyed a successful altitude training camp in St Moritz along with Holland and many other of Britain’s Leeds based triathletes, including Baku gold medal winner, Gordon Benson.
Sophie Coldwell completes the women’s line up whilst Gordon Benson, winner of last month’s European Games triathlon in Baku returns to action alongside Mark Buckingham in the men’s race. Buckingham’s last race was his best ever; he finished fourth in Yokohama in May.
Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee have both withdrawn from Hamburg. Jonathan is recovering from a stress fracture and Alistair is resting in order to be ready for the Rio Test Event in Brazil on 2 August.
The men and women’s elite races take place on Saturday (18 July) followed by the ITU Triathlon Mixed Relay World Championships on Sunday afternoon. Last year’s Great Britain team of Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee, Vicky Holland and Lucy Hall won the title. This year’s team will be selected following the individual races on Saturday.
Schedule (UK times)*
Saturday 18 July, 2:45pm Elite women
Saturday 18 July, 4:45pm Elite men
Sunday 19 July, 3:45pm Mixed relay
*All three races will be live on the BBC Red Button & BT Sport. BBC2 highlights available on Monday 20 July at 2pm.
British athletes racing at ITU World Triathlon Hamburg, (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run):
Women: Sophie Coldwell, Vicky Holland, Non Stanford, Jodie Stimpson
Men: Gordon Benson, Mark Buckingham
