Originally published at: Are You Ready for the T100/ WTCS Double in the French Riviera? - Slowtwitch News
Hayden Wilde arrives in Frejus as the prohibitive favorite for the T100 race, but is also planning on competing in the WTCS race on Sunday, too. Photo: Kevin Mackinnon
World Triathlon and the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) signed a 12-year deal last year that made the T100 Triathlon World Tour the exclusive rights as the official World Championship Long-Distance Triathlon Tour. The agreement appears to have allowed for much more than just a “rights” deal, though, as the PTO has become ever more entwined with the sport’s international governing body. Earlier this year the PTO put on the T1 Indoor Triathlon World Cup in Lievin, and the two organizations were to have hosted a couple of race weekends with both World Triathlon and T100 races. Unfortunately the Valencia event slated for next month had to be cancelled due to course issues, but the other paired event will be happening this weekend in the south of France.
Both races will feature live video coverage and promise some exciting racing – triathlon fans are in for a treat.
French Riviera T100 Triathlon
Set in St. Raphael and Frejus, athletes will be treated to a full-fledged French Riviera experience for this weekend’s race. The age-group race won’t be quite as spectacular as originally hoped as the course has had to be switched from a one-loop effort to a six-loop affair.
In terms of the pro field, though, while there are a few big names missing from the start lists, there’s lots to look forward to on the racing front this weekend. The pros will get to compete over the one-loop, hilly and technical bike course, which will definitely favor some in the field more than others.
Rico Bogen is about to give up his lead in London as Hayden Wilde fuels up before the pass. Photo: Kevin Mackinnon
After his impressive comeback win in London, Hayden Wilde (NZL) will certainly be the man to beat in France tomorrow, especially considering the bike course. There are more than a few men racing who will be up for the challenge of taking down the T100 Singapore and London champ. Rico Bogen (GER) wasn’t able to open up the same kind of gap on the bike that saw him take the T100 San Francisco win in London, but he’ll no-doubt give it a shot in Frejus tomorrow. Jelle Geens (BEL) will be looking to ride a bit better this weekend to enable his impressive run skills to put him in position for the win, too.
Ashleigh Gentle at T100 London 2025. Photo: Kevin Mackinnon
The women’s field is missing Lucy Charles-Barclay (GBR) and Taylor Knibb (USA), who are both in full Kona-training mode. The field also lost Brit Kate Waugh (who got sick after London) and Switzerland’s Julie Derron (bike crash). In the end, though, that might make for more exciting racing as the likes of Ashleigh Gentle (AUS), Paula Findlay (CAN) and Jessica Learmonth (GBR) look to add another name to the list of T100 champions this year. (There’s been four different winners so far.) After a runner-up finish in Chicago last weekend, Georgia Taylor-Brown (GBR) will be another to watch as she takes on her second T100 race.
You can see the full start list here.
As usual for T100 races, there are a number of broadcast partners along with other streaming options to watch the race, including the PTO’s YouTube channel. The coverage begins at 6:45 am local time, with the men heading off at 7:05 and the women starting at 7:12.
Viewing options can be found here.
WTCS French Riviera
Cassandre Beaugrand competes at Supertri Toronto. Photo: Kevin Mackinnon
With the World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) nearing its finale in Wollongong, valuable points are on the line in Frejus this weekend. Defending world champ Cassandre Beaugrand will no-doubt be keen to earn a second WTCS title (she won WTCS Alghero in May) on home soil, but her countrywoman Leonie Periault, who took WTCS Hamburg, will also be eager to take a second series win in France, too. Add to that mix the likes of Luxembourg’s Jeanne Lehair (who competed for France before moving a few years ago), the WTCS Abu Dhabi champ Lisa Tertsch (GER) and Beth Potter (GBR).
You can see the full women’s start list here.
Alex Yee wins Supertri Toronto. Photo: Kevin Mackinnon
For the men, the always-anticipated Hayden Wilde – Alex Yee battle might be tempered by Wilde’s participation in the T100 race the day before, but who knows how all that might pan out. Wilde started off his season with the win at WTCS Abu Dhabi and then won T100 Singapore before being sidelined by horrible bike crash in Japan in May. Yee hasn’t competed on the WTCS circuit yet this year, although he was impressive in Toronto earlier this month as he dusted off the triathlon cobwebs after his marathon focus from early in the year. Aussie Matt Hauser will be after a third WTCS title for 2025 after wins in Yokohama and Hamburg. Those wins, along with runner-up finishes in Abu Dhabi and Alghero, put Hauser 300 points ahead of Miguel Hidalgo (BRA) and 430 up on Vasco Vilaca (POR) in the standings – both will be looking to try and gain some ground in France on Sunday.
You can see the full men’s start list here.
The sprint-distance races will be broadcast live on TriathlonLive.tv with the men’s race going at 2:45 pm local time and the women heading off at 4:30 pm local time.