The 2018 Hamburg Wasser World Triathlon returns once again to the German town to host one of the most popular and fan-favourite races of the season and the men’s start list is stacked! Mario Mola (ESP) arrives in town knowing that he will still be the leader no matter what happens this Saturday, but still he will have to fight with most of the strongest men on the circuit to be able to claim the first spot of the podium.
The Spaniard, who won in Hamburg in 2016 and 2017, knows what it is to claim the title in Hamburg, but he will be hungry for titles, as this season he has only been on top of the podium in Yokohama. “Hamburg is definitely one of my favourite races of the season, and I think I’m in great shape now after the last two weeks training in altitude with my teammates”, said Mario Mola, double World Champion and currently ranked number 1.
“My goal is, as in any other race, to try to fight to be in the podium, and I really hope that I can win again here in Hamburg, as I did last year. The race is very special, the circuit suits me perfect and the spectators are great. This Saturday we’ll see!”, said the Spaniard, who has at the moment a lead of more than 1,400 points over the second in the ranking.
Mario will be accompanied in Hamburg by a strong Spanish team, with Fernando Alarza returning to competition after an injury that caused him to missed WTS Leeds, one of his favourites stops of the season. And also back to competition after an injury is Vicente Hernandez, who has been training in altitude to try to be on his best shape for the race in Hamburg. Uxio Abuin Ares and Antonio Serrat have also shown consistent performances in their races these years, and will be most likely among the ones to watch.
Another powerful squad will be the French, with Vincent Luis -currently ranked number 2 of the world- hungry for a victory after finishing in third place in Leeds and Abu Dhabi WTS. Luis, who has recently changed his training routine to train with Joel Fillol, and along with Mario Mola and Jake Birtwhistle among others, will be joined by Pierre LeCorre and Leo Bergere, two strong runners who could be willing to work together to try to break away at any point.
The “break away strategy” will be most likely the one to try to Jonathan Brownlee, back in the circuit after having to pull out of the race in Leeds, his hometown, due to an stomach pain. Brownlee, who has only medalled this season in Mixed Relay events, already knows what it is to win here, as he claimed the title in 2013 and is really looking forward repeating his success in German soil.
South Africa’s Richard Murray returns to Hamburg after his dominant win in Leeds, and with that gold medal under his belt, this race will just be a matter of whether he can keep up with the momentum shown in the previous WTS. Aussie Jacob Birtwhistle should not be discredited either, and after the last two editions finishing in second place, he will be looking to improve his performance in Germany, taking home the victory in the individual race. His teammates Aaron Royle, Luke Willian and Ryan Bailie have to be considered as well.
Returning to the WTS circuit will be Kiwi Ryan Sissons, looking to repeat his podium last year, and in great shape after his win by inches over Kristian Blummenfelt and Joao Pereira at the French Grand Prix in Paris.
The men will get the 2018 Hamburg Wasser World Triathlon underway at 17:32 on Saturday, July 14, while the women will follow right after at 18:40 local time. Follow all of the action live at triathlonlive.tv and on twitter @triathlonlive. Join the conversation with the hashtag #WTSHamburg