With brother Jonny missing Cape Town having won the Auckland and Gold Coast WTS races back-to-back, the traditional Ali Brownlee and Javier Gomez rivalry will resume, with this race earmarked as the one to potentially put Gomez back on top of the world series rankings. Brownlee will be competing in his first WTS race since winning the 2014 Grand Final in Edmonton, and will be looking to pick up maximum points this weekend. Mario Mola will also race, and his blistering run splits so far in 2015 will surely make him a contender to take the tape. 

The South African contingent is lead by Richard Murray, who will be looking to capitalise on competing on home soil. Henri Schoemann will also compete, and three other South Africans have also made the start list. 

No other British athletes are lining up, but Joao Silva (POR) Vincent Luis (FRA) Igor and Dmitry Polyanskiy (RUS) and Fernando Alarza (ESP) add to a very strong men’s field. Full start list.

The Olympic-distance race will begin in chilly waters with a two-lap swim, followed by a flat technical bike leg and fast 10km run starting and finishing at Green Point athletics stadium. The men’s race will start at 2.55pm local time (1.55pm UK time) on Sunday 26 April. 

UK viewers can watch live on the BBC’s Red Button service, or on triathlonlive.tv. 

Women’s race

Last year’s Cape Town race was a British one-two, and also the last time Gwen Jorgensen was defeated in a WTS series event. This year only Helen Jenkins from the 2014 podium will be competing, leaving the field wide open. Katie Zafires of USA has more 2015 podium finishes than any other athlete in the field, but much is expected of versatile Bermudan Flora Duffy, who also won the Xterra Asia-Pacific championships on April 18. Whether Duffy has taken too much out of herself with her busy schedule so far remains to be seen, but strong bike skills are expected to put her in contention.    

With Jenkins’ form hard to predict after returning from a long-term foot injury, a strong American contingent competing and Olympic champion Nicola Spirig lining up, picking a winner is an impossible task. 

Other British athletes lining up are Vicky Holland and the improving Emma Pallant. Other top athletes include Sarah True (USA) Rachel Klamer (NED) and Anne Haug (GER). Full start list. 

The women’s race will get underway on Saturday 25 April at 2.55pm local time (1.55pm UK time). UK viewers can watch live on the BBC’s Red Button service, or on triathlonlive.tv.

For updates and race coverage follow us on Twitter (@220Triathlon) and keep an eye on the website for full race reports and photo galleries.

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Who do you think will claim the Cape this weekend? Let us know in the comments!

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The race began in very chilly 11c waters, meaning the swim was reduced to one lap (750m). The cold waters had little effect on the pace and Katy Zaferes in particular, who led the pack out onto the bike in search of her first WTS title.

A group of four formed a front group onto the bike made up of Zaferes (USA), Pamella Oliveira (BRA), Flora Duffy (BER) and Brit Helen Jenkins. Oliveira was quickly dropped and left in no mans land, leaving the top three to try to pull away from the large chasing group, which included Olympic champion Nicola Spirig.

The three leaders were chased down with 26km of the bike to go, creating a very large peloton at the front of the race, with Jenkins still going strong and other British entrants Emma Pallant and Vicky Holland also making the front pack.

Remarkably there were no crashes on the tight and technical bike course despite there being 28 women in the front group – Gillian Sanders (RSA) suffered a mechanical but had already fallen behind the pace.

On the run, Olympic champion Spirig took the initiative and shot out into the lead, but most of the front group kept up and all the pre-race contenders were in contention. All three British women stayed at the front with Sarah True (USA) unable to keep up with the pace, surprisingly set by Vicky Holland who led past the 5km point.

10 women formed the front group heading into the final quarter of the run, made up of the three Brits, three Americans (Zaferes, Kirsten Kasper and Chelsea Burns) three Germans (Sophia Saller, Anne Haug and Rebecca Robisch) and Spirig.

In the most hotly-contested women’s WTS race of the season so far, Holland, Saller, Zaferes, Spirig and Jenkins broke away, but it was Holland who really started to stretch out and created a gap with 1km to go. The gap continued to widen, and Holland looked strong as she approached Green Point Stadium for a lap of the athletics track.

It turned out to be a victory lap for Holland, who had time to spare as she sprinted all the way to the line to finish in 1:49:51. Zaferes held on for 2nd coming in on 1:49:53, and Nicola Spirig took 3rd place. Helen Jenkins had an impressive return from injury coming 7th, and Emma Pallant came 10th meaning all three British women made the top 10.

Holland was understandably emotional at the end of the race, and has no doubt created another welcome headache for British Triathlon’s Olympic selectors for Rio 2016:

“I’ve felt good in training recently and thought a podium finish might be possible if I executed everything perfectly, I really didn’t think I’d win it though!

“The game plan definitely wasn’t to take off with 1km to go, I’m sure my coach would’ve been tearing his hair out but it paid off on the day and I’m absolutely thrilled to come home first!”

(Images: Delly Carr / ITU Media)

Results: Elite Women

1. Vicky Holland (GBR) – 1:49:51
2. Katie Zaferes (USA) – 1:49:53
3. Nicola Spirig (SUI) – 1:49:56
4. Sophia Saller (GER) – 1:50:07
5. Rebecca Robisch (GER) – 1:50:09
6. Kirsten Kasper (USA) – 1:50:10
7. Helen Jenkins (GBR) – 1:50:16
8. Anne Haug (GER) – 1:50:21
9. Chelsea Burns (USA) – 1:50:24
10. Emma Pallant (GBR) – 1:50:34

Series Rankings 2015 after WTS Cape Town

1. Katie Zaferes (USA) – 2905pts
2. Gwen Jorgensen (USA) – 2400pts
3. Sarah True (USA) – 1947pts
4. Andrea Hewitt (NZL) – 1904pts
5. Lindsey Jerdonek (USA) – 1387pts

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Brownlee’s performance was dominant as he surged away from old rival Javier Gomez Noya with a mile of the run to go, showing no signs of an athlete who was unable to compete in the first three WTS races of the season due to injury.

As in the women’s race yesterday the swim was shortened to 750m due to the very chilly 11c water temperature. Defending title holder from Cape Town 2014 Javier Gomez Noya (ESP) set a blistering pace and was first out of the water, closely followed by the only British entrant and Olympic champion Brownlee, competing in his first World Series race since winning the WTS Grand Final in Edmonton last year.

A huge peloton formed early on the bike course, the shortened swim lending itself an advantage to the weaker swimmers as over half of the 66 competitors found themselves in the lead group.

Whilst the women avoided crashes on the previous day despite a similarly large peloton the men weren’t so lucky, with Lucas Siska (SVK) taking a nasty fall at almost full speed with less than 10km of the bike gone. Lawrence Fanous (JOR) was also caught up in the melee. All the major pre-race favourites including Brownlee, Gomez, Mario Mola (ESP) and Cape Town local Richard Murray (RSA) stayed out of trouble and continued to sit comfortably in the lead group.

With less than half of the bike leg to go the chasing pack merged with the leaders, creating an extraordinarily large number of almost 60 riders at the front, a sight more akin to the Tour de France as opposed to ITU racing.

Murray decided to inject some pace with around 15km of the bike to go, but no one was willing to take the bait and the group stayed intact. Allessandro Fabian (ITA) also made a break with Murray following but the peloton chased them down with ease.

With so many riders coming into transition positioning was key, and Brownlee read it perfectly as he managed to arrive 1st into T2 as he headed out for the 10km run. Gomez, Murray, Vincent Luis (FRA) and Fernando Alarza (ESP) also followed, forming a front group of 5 in the first mile of the run. Renowned runner Mola led the 2nd group which included Sven Riederer (SUI), but perhaps surprisingly was unable to bridge the gap.

Frustratingly Brownlee took a fall half way through the run meaning Alarza had to effectively hurdle over him as he picked himself up – however Brownlee gritted his teeth and quickly bridged the gap back up to Gomez, Luis and Murray, leaving the fading Alarza behind him.

Four then became three as Luis was dropped, and a familiar sight of Gomez and Brownlee (with the increasingly familiar sight of Murray) began to pull away.

As they approached Green Point stadium for a lap of the athletics track Brownlee had opened a significant gap after surging away from old nemesis Gomez, and had time to soak up the atmosphere as he crossed the line in 1:39:19.

Ever-present podium finisher Gomez came home in 1:39:24, and Vincent Luis came 3rd in 1:39:28 after moving past Murray, who had blown up with 800m to go.

After finishing, Brownlee briefly analysed his tumble on the run, before expressing delight at taking his 18th WTS title despite being plagued with injuries through the winter:

“I think Javier (Gomez) may have run across me when I tripped, but in the heat of the moment when everyone’s going hard these things can happen, I don’t think it was done in bad faith though.”

“I am delighted with this win considering I didn’t really feel I even had good legs today, I think I’m only going to get fitter so I’m really looking forward to the next race in the World Series.”

The prospect of Brownlee senior getting stronger through the rest of the season is undoubtedly an exciting one, as brother Jonny Brownlee won his first two races of the season in Auckland and Gold Coast. The final podium for the 2015 World Triathlon Series is looking increasingly likely to be Brownlee-dominated once more.

(Images: Delly Carr / ITU Media)

Results

1. Alistair Brownlee (GBR) – 1:39:19
2. Javier Gomez Noya (ESP) – 1:39:24
3. Vincent Luis (FRA) – 1:39:28
4. Richard Murray (RSA) – 1:39:39
5. Fernando Alarza (ESP) – 1:39:51
6. Sven Riederer (SUI) – 1:40:00
7. Pierre Le Corre (FRA) – 1:40:07
8. Mario Mola (ESP) – 1:40:16
9. Crisanto Grajales (MEX) – 1:40:30
10. Joao Pereira (POR) – 1:40:32

Series rankings 2015 after WTS Cape Town:

1. Javier Gomez (ESP) – 2707pts
2. Mario Mola (ESP) – 2273pts
3. Fernando Alarza (ESP) – 2221pts
4. Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) – 2186pts
5. Richard Murray (RSA) – 1904pts

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>>> Alistair Brownlee wins first World Triathlon Series title of 2015

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Women’s elite race

>>> Vicky Holland claims spectacular victory in Cape Town

(Images: Delly Carr / ITU Media)

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Highlights include:

The Road to Rio – how the GB Paratri team train to win

45 ways to race faster with targeted sessions, nutrition a dive and transition tips

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Bike skills masterclass 

How to build strength – improve your endurance with Chrissie Wellington

Gear focus – race running shoes 

Our big wetsuits grouptest – 13 reviewed and rated

Women’s tri-suits on test

Find 220 Triathlon on sale at newsagents across the UK, and the digital edition can be picked up via the iTunes store, Google Play and Zinio.

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Bonus digital content includes: Behind-the-scenes footage from the GB Paratri squad’s training camp in Lanzarote; check out this month’s Fuji bike test and shoot; watch highlights from the first-ever Ghana Triathlon.

>>> Gallery: Challenge Weymouth 2014

The route has been altered to make it more spectator friendly, with the second lap starting just before the entrance of Lodmoor Country Park, where transition is located. Last year’s female winner Eleanor Haresign says that the route is better for racers and spectators, but suggests athletes might like to practise their roundabout skills. 

Challenge Weymouth bike route. Here is a link to RidewithGPS.

Last year’s Challenge Weymouth saw more than 1,200 athletes take part across both half- and iron-distance races, with British athletes Joe Skipper and Eleanor Haresign taking gold in the men’s and women’s races respectively.

This year’s race returns on 13 September and will host the ETU European Long Distance Triathlon Championships – a major coup for the organisers considering the event is only in its second year. For more info head here.

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>>> Gallery: Long Course Weekend 2015

Race Force are creating teams of six women to take on the challenge in Pembrokeshire this July, and in exchange for £99 will offer: 

• Race entry & t-shirt
• Meet & greet with race director
• Coaches on hand for all event logistics & race planning
• Co-ordinated dining options at Tenby’s finest & funniest establishments
• VIP access to all event locations

You will work with coaches from Race Force to decide which parts of the race you want to take on together.

>>> Check out our Women’s training section

Race Force hold a number of workshops introducing women to training concepts, nutrition advice and general Q&A with an experienced team, whether you’re a complete beginner or training for a full distance. 

You can book your weekend with Race Force at the discounted rate by going the Race Force website here: www.raceforce.co.uk/#!womentri/c11w3

(Images: Dirty Green Trainers)

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With Ludlow Castle as a backdrop, it involved a 10km run, 33km bike and 5km run, and the organisers tried hard to make sure it lived up to its billing as the ‘UK’s toughest duathlon’. 

The men’s race was won by Alain Friedrich of Team Freespeed (M30-34), who managed to build himself a lead of nearly 5mins when crossing the line in 2:00:23. The women’s race was much closer with Marianne Day (Worcester Tri Club) finishing in 2:32:23. Full results here.

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Did you race Storm The Castle? Let us know in the comments below!

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This means there is something for everyone (males and females alike – BananaMen and BananaWomen). Anyone who wants to swim, bike and run in the most bananas multisport event in the country is welcome! Whether you get a triathlon taster with the Banana Split, or take on the Whole Banana, there’s something for all abilities and ages. 

The Lidl BananaMan Triathlon is all about getting involved in as many different ways as possible and to help you rope your friends, family and even enemies in, there’s a relay option too. Extra points for anyone who wears yellow on the day!

The Lidl BananaMan is part of the Human Race Triathlon Series 2015.

What’s great about this event?

• Iconic Olympic venue
• Clean, calm lake waters
• Fast, flat closed road bike and run course
• Free post-race BBQ for all participants and spectators thanks to Lidl
• Thanks to Lidl, there’s more free food than you could ever eat!
• Renowned for its fun, supportive and festival-feeling atmosphere
• A pre-event Scootathlon for age 4 – 8 years

Event includes:

• Event T-shirt
• Free bananas for all!
• Free Parking
• Electronic chip timing
• Results texted to your mobile phone as you cross the line

Distances & prices

Banana Split: 200m Swim, 5.3km Bike, 2.5km Run £40

Half Banana: 400m Swim, 10.6km Bike, 2.5km Run £60

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Banana Fritter: 400m Swim, 21.2km Bike, 5km Run £65

Whole Banana: 800m Swim, 31.8km Bike, 7.5km Run £72

Bunch of Bananas Relay: 800m Swim, 31.8km Bike, 7.5km Run £82

Bunch of Bananas Team Time Trial (drafting allowed): 800m Swim, 31.8km Bike, 7.5km Run £150

Duathlon: 5km Run, 21.2km Bike, 2.5km Run £52

Scootathlon: 390m Scoot, 390m Bike, 250m Run £19

NEW for 2015! Parent and Child Relay Scootathlon: Adult (390m scoot, 250m run) and Child (390m Scoot, 390m Bike, 250m Run) £19

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Will you be racing the BananaMan Triathlon? Let us know in the comments below!