Posted: July 27, 2007

Triathlon: Triathletes bid for World Championship selection

The pressure is on for British triathletes racing tomorrow, Sunday 29 July, at the Salford BG Triathlon World Cup. As well as the $100,000 prize money on offer, there is the opportunity to gain selection for next month’s World Championships in Hamburg. Britain currently boasts three World Champions, and Tim Don is favourite to deliver a home win at Salford Quays. Don became World Champion last year in Lausanne, but has only featured once on the podium in Salford since the event started in 2003. The 29 year old finished third in 2005. Young pretender, Will Clarke, was third last year and is keen to step up from Under 23 World Champion to senior contender. The 22 year old has already had a top 6 finish on the World Cup circuit this year in Kitzbuhel. His sister, Rosie, 20, will race in Salford for the first time, having just won the European Under 23 title. Andrea Whitcombe is expected to lead the British challenge in the women’s event, starting at 11.30am. However, she’s up against the current world number one, Vanessa Fernandes of Portugal, who is expected to dominate the event. Britain can send up to six male and six female athletes to the World Championships and Salford is the final opportunity to impress the selectors. British Triathlon will announce the team next week. Britain’s juniors have impressed on this year with wins at the European junior and under 23 championships. Now it’s the turn of the seniors to show what they can do at Britain’s only home leg of the World Cup. The Salford BG Triathlon World Cup attracted 22,000 spectators last year and is free for anyone to attend. For more information see www.trisalford.info. International Athletes to watch Defending Champions: Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS) and Sam Warriner (NZL) World number ones and European Champions: Javier Gomez (ESP) and Vanessa Fernandes (POR) Olympic Champion: Kate Allen (AUT) Current World Champion: Tim Don (GBR) Former World Champions: Bevan Docherty (NZL, 2004), Ivan Rana (ESP, 2002), Leanda Cave (GBR, 2002) The full distance race in Salford comprises a 1500m swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run. The Women’s race starts at 11.30am, and an expected finish time of 1.30pm. The men’s event starts at 2pm and should finish at around 3.50pm. Great Britain Teams Men: Tim Don (London), Will Clarke (Cambridge / Loughborough), Stuart Hayes (London), Andrew Johns (Peterborough / Switzerland), Richard Stannard (London), Alistair Brownlee (Bradford) Women: Michelle Dillon (Wembley), Jodie Swallow (Essex / Loughborough), Andrea Whitcombe (Ruislip / Swansea), Leanda Cave (Louth / USA), Rosie Clarke (Cambridge / Loughborough), Kerry Lang (Scotland) Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest