I think the suggestion that TTH brought up of having 70.3 worlds further away from the World Champs and the end of the season is a great point. With the combo of IMWC + T100s concentrated at the end of the year, the event would stand apart far more competing just against other pro series events and Roth. Also, you’d get way higher take rate amongst AGers during summer vacation, and further away from Kona so that athletes (with enough time and $$ could do both easier).
Unfortunately it seems like we’re at least partially locked into the early September date with Nice on the calendar for 2 upcoming worlds. To me mid July-Mid August would work well to avoid direct conflicts with Roth, be far enough away from Kona, and be during summer break. I bet the race would get a ton more hype then too.
As a father of 2 young kids I would love for the WC to be in the summer. However one of the biggest challenges there is getting dates that a city will want to give up during prime tourist season. I can’t imagine Nice for example being willing to shut down their roads for a full weekend if the race was in their peak season (June-August). Hosting a 2 day race in the shoulder/off season opens up a lot more venues with excess capacity and desire to fill it.
you also need to take temperatures into account. Racing in europe mid-summer you have a high chance of temperatures close to 40 degrees, especially in south Europe. Unless you bring it back to the UK lol
Just want to mention to @JackKelly-TTH that Paula did start the run at Worlds, I think Appo was correct the plan was start the run and see how it feels.
Wasn’t Paula in a race just last year (or two years ago) where she was racing someone who never intended to run? I swear they’ve had that conversation on the TTL pod and she said she’d never do that.
Very very different scenario. That athlete told no one she was injured then went full gas on the bike and to start the run. She only told Paula as she blew past her. That athlete was clear after the race she had no intention of going farther than she did. Stoping was her predetermined race plan coordinated with her coach. So she impacted the race with the intent to stop.
Paula has been very clear she has a running injury. Her plan was to get out on the run and see if she could fit through it and hope she could pull a TO. Sadly no repeat of the TO miracle in Kona.
It was covered in one of the TTH episodes. Basically Joe was always late/not in a proper studio (out walking the dogs).
Junkyard dog has been the same (irregular) although the content is reasonable when it’s there.