Abu Dhabi WTCS to broadcast live on BBC
Autumn blues? If you’re living in Europe and looking for an Autumn pick-me-up, look no further than Abu Dhabi. The World Triathlon Championship Series heads to the UAE capital for the second meeting of the rearranged 2022 season on Friday, 5 November – and you can see it live on the BBC.
(See below for BCC schedule and times of coverage)
The field comprises of six of the world’s top 10 men’s triathletes and seven of the top 10 women many of whom are at their very peak following their participation in the recent Tokyo Olympic Games.
This is an opportunity for fans to watch the world’s best in their own backyard on one of the most unique triathlon courses in the world. A self-contained triathlon haven basking in sunshine through the streets, race track and waterways of the UAE capital’s iconic Yas Island.
In the women’s event Great Britain displays its squad depth with British Olympic medallists Georgia Taylor-Brown, Jessica Learmonth and Vicky Holland on the start line. Also there is Beth Potter following her back-to-back wins in Korea. Making up the rest of the strong British contingent are Sophie Coldwell, Non Standford and Sian Rainsley (5th in the world rankings) each capable of winning the race in their own right. If that was not enough to contend with, also testing her metal on ‘short course racing’, and making her Abu Dhabi debut is Ironman 70.3 World Champion Lucy Charles-Barclay.
Now here’s the kicker! They will all be taking on Tokyo 2020 gold medallist and World Triathlon Champions Flora Duffy of Bermuda. Who has the courage to bet against her not being victorious. Whilst USA’s Tokyo bronze medialist Katie Zaferes is not racing the American entries, nonetheless, include the phenomenal bike speed of Taylor Knibb and the pocket dynamo Taylor Spivey. Also racing is Rachel Klamer (NED) a former Abu Dhabi winner just missing out on a medal at Tokyo with a 4th place and Laura Lindemann(GER) who will be looking to cement her No1 world ranking following her win in WTCS Hamburg.
The men’s line-up includes German Tim Hellwig, the current world number 1, following his impressive win in Hamburg. Paul Georgenthum from France will also toe the line, currently second in the series ranking. A new star on the French team, he finished in second place in Hamburg on his series debut and will be looking to continue that form on Yas Island.
Hayden Wilde, Olympic bronze medallist, is currently in fantastic race form. Since his Olympic performance, Wilde has been racing across Europe and will be gunning for the top spot here. As will American Morgan Pearson whose race results for 2021 read third in Yokohama and second in Leeds, before earning Mixed Relay silver in Toyko having run past Frenchman Vincent Luis on the final leg. Also, in the mix will be Jelle Greens (BEL) who missed the Tokyo individual men’s event after contracting Covid. And you cannot write off two-time Olympian Tyler Mislawchuk (CAN) who has in his armoury an innate ability to race and win in the most intolerable of heat and humidity environments,
The British contingent of Gorden Benson, Grant Sheldon and Sam Dickenson will all be looking to make their mark in a tough competitive field.
BBC coverage
Friday, 5 November
All times are GMT. Times are subject to change.
Mens Sprint 9:55-11:25 – BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app
Women’s Sprint: 11:55-13:25 – BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app
