NEWS

Mario Mola chases hat-trick of world titles in Gold Coast

By Doug Gray | 13 Sep, 2018
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Spain’s Mario Mola stands on the cusp of a remarkable double-triple for Spanish triathlon as he chases a feat only previously achieved by compatriot Javier Gomez in 2015: a straight hat-trick of ITU World Championship titles. Wins in 2016 and 2017 already sealed Mola’s place in the pantheon of the sport’s greats, but victory in the 2018 ITU Grand Final would cap an incredible few years on the front line of triathlon.

Finishing anywhere in the top 14 on Sunday afternoon in Australia’s beautiful Gold Coast will guarantee the 28-year-old his third world title in as many years, and it is a familiar circuit on which he has secured the gold in both of his last two attempts.

The Olympic-distance course takes in two laps of the calm inlet waters off Mitchell Park before the athletes head out on to a tight, flat 8-lap bike circuit and rounding off the race with four laps on foot for what looks certain to be a tight battle for the final WTS medals of 2018.

Hot on Mola’s heels will be home favourite Jacob Birtwhistle, a man who has mastered the art of the sprint over the final kilometres in recent outings and one of the few that can match the Spaniard’s sheer pace on foot. A finish outside of the top six would leave the World title out of his grasp, so the Australian is sure to deliver an explosive display in a bid to pile the pressure on his rivals and give himself the best possible chance.

Likewise Vincent Luis, who topped the podium at the 2017 Grand Final in Rotterdam and still has a mathematical chance of taking the title. Six top ten finishes, including three podiums, underlines his consistency so far this campaign, and after missing out in Montreal he will be fresh for the Gold Coast challenge.

Two South Africans will undoubtedly be challenging for the medals, Richard Murray’s victory in Leeds and third place in Hamburg proving his highlights so far in an unpredictable year, while Henri Schoeman flew out of the blocks with gold in WTS Abu Dhabi and the Commonwealth Games before losing some of that rhythm after a solid eighth in Bermuda.

Norway’s powerful Kristian Blummenfelt has continued his excellent form from the end of 2017 with three WTS silvers this year and would love to finally land a first WTS gold medal on Sunday, and after a busy 2018, Canada’s Tyler Mislawchuk would love to find himself on the World Series podium for the first time.

Elsewhere on the start line, Great Britain’s Brownlee brothers race together at the top level for the first time this year. Alistair Brownlee has been restricted to appearances at the Commonwealth Games and European Championships so far this campaign, while Jonathan has had a difficult season getting back to his sparkling best, coming off his bike while well-placed in Abu Dhabi and never quite recreating his full flow.

You can see the full men’s start list here and watch the race unfold from 3pm Sunday on triathlonlive.tv and follow social media updates on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and the hashtag #WTSGoldCoast.

Related Event: 2018 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Gold Coast
12 - Sep, 2018 • event pageall results
Results: Elite Men
1. Vincent Luis FRA 01:44:34
2. Mario Mola ESP 01:44:48
3. Richard Murray RSA 01:44:56
4. Pierre Le Corre FRA 01:45:01
5. Kristian Blummenfelt NOR 01:45:04
6. Henri Schoeman RSA 01:45:06
7. Jacob Birtwhistle AUS 01:45:46
8. Jonathan Brownlee GBR 01:45:51
9. Marten Van Riel BEL 01:45:56
10. Tyler Mislawchuk CAN 01:45:57
Results: Elite Women
1. Ashleigh Gentle AUS 01:52:00
2. Vicky Holland GBR 01:52:02
3. Katie Zaferes USA 01:52:33
4. Laura Lindemann GER 01:52:53
5. Kirsten Kasper USA 01:53:15
6. Melanie Santos POR 01:53:26
7. Taylor Spivey USA 01:53:28
8. Georgia Taylor-Brown GBR 01:53:31
9. Leonie Periault FRA 01:53:33
10. Jodie Stimpson GBR 01:53:41
Results: U23 Men
1. Tayler Reid NZL 01:44:08
2. Samuel Dickinson GBR 01:44:20
3. Bence Bicsák HUN 01:44:31
4. Léo Bergere FRA 01:44:39
5. Jørgen Gundersen NOR 01:44:44
6. Lasse Lührs GER 01:44:47
7. Gabriel Allgayer GER 01:45:19
8. Antonio Serrat Seoane ESP 01:45:32
9. Hayden Wilde NZL 01:45:38
10. Alex Yee GBR 01:45:41
Results: U23 Women
1. Taylor Knibb USA 01:53:47
2. Cassandre Beaugrand FRA 01:55:22
3. Angelica Olmo ITA 01:56:39
4. Nicole Van Der Kaay NZL 01:57:02
5. Erika Ackerlund USA 01:57:18
6. Sandra Dodet FRA 01:57:32
7. Jaz Hedgeland AUS 01:57:39
8. Yuliya Golofeeva RUS 01:57:51
9. Sophie Linn AUS 01:58:01
10. Nina Eim GER 01:58:25
Results: Junior Men
1. Csongor Lehmann HUN 00:52:49
2. Paul Georgenthum FRA 00:53:12
3. Philipp Wiewald GER 00:53:14
4. Boris Pierre FRA 00:53:20
5. Lorcan Redmond AUS 00:53:22
6. Oscar Coggins HKG 00:53:37
7. Vetle Bergsvik Thorn NOR 00:53:39
8. Pavlos Antoniades CAN 00:53:40
9. Vasco Vilaca POR 00:53:50
10. Saxon Morgan NZL 00:53:54
Results: Junior Women
1. Cecilia Sayuri Ramirez Alavez MEX 00:59:11
2. Erin Wallace GBR 00:59:23
3. Kate Waugh GBR 00:59:34
4. Pauline Landron FRA 00:59:46
5. Romy Wolstencroft AUS 00:59:51
6. Magdalena Früh AUT 01:00:03
7. Jessica Fullagar FRA 01:00:08
8. Desirae Ridenour CAN 01:00:10
9. Quinty Schoens NED 01:00:12
10. Celia Merle FRA 01:00:16