THE T100 TOP TRIERS

MEN Magnus Ditlev, Denmark

With Olympic champion Kristian Blummenfelt turning down a T100 contract, the giant Dane is the highest ranked PTO talent on the start- line and widely acknowledged as the most powerful bike rider in triathlon.

Sam Laidlow, France

The reigning Ironman world champion has long said his true motivation in the sport is to win in Hawaii. achieving this while making his mark over 100km will be the challenge.

Alistair Brownlee, UK

Brought in as a ‘ hotshot’ after another injury- affected year, 2023 was the first season in Brownlee’s career where he failed to win a race. Whether he has the resilience to race through until November is in question.

David McNamee, UK

The second contracted Brit in the men’s field compared to six GB women, the Scot has been rewarded for consistency in last year’s PTO Tour events. The multi- race series format should suit him.

Javier Gomez, Spain

Aged 41, Gomez is the oldest contracted athlete, but coach Dan Plews believes the Spaniard still shows some of the best training data he’s ever seen. Like Brownlee, injury has ruined race plans in recent years.

Marten Van Riel, Belgium

The Belgian finished sixth and fourth at the last two Olympic Games and set the fastest middle- distance time ever in Dubai at the start of 2022. A win in Bahrain in December suggests a liking for racing in the Middle East. Handy given it’s the location for the final two T100 events.

WOMEN Anne Haug, Germany

The PTO- ranked No. 1 won over 100km in ibiza last year and still finished second in Singapore despite losing crucial minutes stopping to detangle tyre tape from her wheel. At 41, a gun runner, who shows no signs of slowing down.

Ashleigh Gentle, Australia

Challenging Haug to be the queen of the T100 distance, the Aussie is the most successful 100km racer to date, whose laser focus on the PTO events has paid off with three wins and two runners- up finishes.

Taylor Knibb, USA

You won’t see Knibb in much T100 action until the latter part of the year because of Olympic ambitions, but then expect fireworks – especially on the bike. The two-time Ironman 70.3 world champion won’t be able to afford any slip- ups if she wants a shot at the title.

Lucy Charles-Barclay, GB

Committed to racing the T100 series from the outset and will even forgo the defence of her Ironman world crown. Not spreading her efforts too thin looks a smart move following serious injury setbacks in recent years.

Lucy Byram, GB

A relative newcomer to long- distance racing, Lucy burst onto the scene last year with early- season wins and was rewarded with an invite for PTO racing and backed it up with a surprise fourth place in Milwaukee.

Emma Pallant-Browne, GB

Now based in South Africa, the former elite track runner is a middle- distance specialist, and alongside Kat Mathews, India Lee and Holly Lawrence, is another British contender who is rarely off the podium.