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ITU World Triathlon Series showdown set for Sunday in Leeds

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Five of Britain’s six Olympic triathletes are in action on the streets of Leeds this Sunday as the ITU World Triathlon Series comes to Yorkshire for the first time. The world’s best triathletes, including Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee, will feature in the Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds along with promising juniors, super-fit amateurs and beginners on Saturday and Sunday 11-12 June.

Olympic champion, Alistair Brownlee lines up with London 2012 silver medallist Javier Gomez (ESP) and his bronze medal winning bother, Jonathan, as they go head-to-head for the first time in more than a year. The Brownlee Brothers have been involved with designing the course, which promises to be fast, technical and exciting for thousands of spectators who will be able to enjoy the race free of charge.

Gordon Benson, the third member of the TeamGB squad for Rio also lines up alongside Britain’s Tom Bishop and Adam Bowden.

The technical course should lend itself to a breakaway group getting away after the 1500m swim in Roundhay Park. The swim and initial climb out of the first transition should break up the field long before it reaches the city centre to complete a series of technical bike and run laps and finishes in Millennium Square.

The women’s field is extremely strong with ITU World Champion Gwen Jorgensen (USA) up against Leeds-based Non Stanford and Vicky Holland, who finished second and third to her at the Rio Test Event and at the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final last year.

Commonwealth Champion, Jodie Stimpson, adds even more depth having won the opening round of the Series in Abu Dhabi in March. Flora Duffy (BER) and Andrea Hewitt (NZL) have also demonstrated great form this season and will contribute to making the Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds one of the most exciting races of the season so far.

Britain’s Lucy Hall and Jess Learmonth complete the British line up, and should ensure that the home-based athletes are up front as they navigate the city-centre laps in front of huge crowds.

The women’s race starts just after 1pm on Sunday and is followed by the men’t race at 3.45pm. Spectators can enjoy the event for free, and will be able to keep up with the action on live screens around the city. The event will also be live on BBC2 from 12:45pm until 6pm.

British athletes racing; Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds; Sunday 12 June; 1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run:

Elite women, start 1:06pm:
Lucy Hall, Vicky Holland, Jess Learmonth, Non Stanford, Jodie Stimpson

Elite men, start 3.45pm:
Gordon Benson, Tom Bishop, Adam Bowden, Alistair Brownlee, Jonathan Brownlee

Women’s start list: http://wts.triathlon.org/start_lists/2016_itu_world_triathlon_leeds/281145
Men’s start list: http://wts.triathlon.org/start_lists/2016_itu_world_triathlon_leeds/281144

Event website: http://leeds.triathlon.org

 

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