A nine-strong British team will be returning to competitive action for the first time since February as they travel to Hamburg for the only ITU World Triathlon Series race of 2020.
The international federation have also decided that the race will be used to award World Championship titles in both the individual and Mixed relay races. With titles up for grabs, athletes will be descending on Hamburg hungry to take part in the first competitive race since February.
Double Olympic champion, Alistair Brownlee, and double Olympic medallist, Jonny Brownlee, will be leading the way in the men’s race. The brothers will be taking their places on the start line for the first time in 2020.
Alex Yee, who raced at the ITU World Cup in Mooloolaba, will be returning to competitive action having finished second at the Podium 5km at the start of August. Grant Sheldon also competed in the Podium 5km race and finished ninth, while Barclay Izzard is taking part in his first race of 2020.
Olympic bronze medallist Vicky Holland will be back on the start line after winning gold at the Mooloolaba World Cup in February.
She is joined by 2019 World Triathlon Series silver and bronze medallists Jess Learmonth and Georgia Taylor-Brown who recently competed at the SuperLeague Triathlon Arena Games. Also racing is Beth Potter, who took part in the Podium 5km race in August and was the top elite female athlete there.
World Triathlon Series Hamburg is being run on a new course in Stadtpark and on a predominantly flat course. The bike leg is technically demanding due to the tight turns and the run route will involve two 180 degree turns.
Double Olympic champion, Alistair Brownlee, said: “There haven’t been many opportunities to race this year obviously, but I feel quite fit and I am looking forward to being on a start line and giving it my best.”
Olympic bronze medallist, Vicky Holland, said: “It’s obviously been a bizarre year for us all, but I am appreciative that I have another triathlon in the calendar this year and I’m definitely looking forward to racing again in Hamburg. They have done a great job to make sure this event can go ahead in a safe environment and I’m really grateful to be heading to a start line once again.”
Mike Cavendish, British Triathlon Performance Director, said: “The 2020 season has been unlike any other and I have been impressed with how the athletes have dealt with everything that has been thrown at them. We are pleased that we have the opportunity to get back to what we know and race in Hamburg.
“This race offers a unique opportunity for all of our athletes to race and enjoy themselves without the pressure of qualification points and results. No one knows how any of the other athletes have been training so it’s a bit of an unknown but I just want our athletes to finish the race having enjoyed getting back on to a start line.”
Men’s team
Name/born
Alistair Brownlee - Leeds
Jonny Brownlee - Leeds
Barclay Izzard - Derby
Grant Sheldon - Hamilton
Alex Yee - London
Women’s team
Vicky Holland - Gloucester
Jessica Learmonth – London
Beth Potter - Glasgow
Georgia Taylor-Brown - Manchester
Broadcast details will be shared on 4 September
For more information on the athletes please visit their profile pages
