Australia’s Matt Hauser returns to Hamburg for this weekend’s World Triathlon Championship Series race as the man to beat – riding high at the top of the world-title deciding Series standings.
Three races, three podiums: silver in Abu Dhabi, gold in Yokohama, and silver in Alghero. Now, the reigning Hamburg champion is chasing a fourth straight top-three finish as the season hits its halfway mark in the lead-up to a home World Triathlon Championship Finals in Wollongong.
“I’m really looking forward to racing this weekend in the green and gold in Hamburg,” Hauser said.
“Great memories for me last year taking the win. Hopefully the Mixed Team Relay can do the same and top the podium as well.”
Long considered the beating heart of triathlon in Germany, Hamburg is set to host its 24th edition of the world’s best. The fast and furious sprint-distance course winds through the buzzing city centre, with a 750m swim in Binnenalster Lake – including the iconic tunnel section – followed by a 20km technical bike leg and a flat-out 5km run to the line.
Joining Hauser on the men’s start line is Luke Willian, Callum McClusky, Brandon Copeland and 21-year-old Queenslander Brayden Mercer, who will make his World Triathlon Championship Series debut.
The Australian men were in fine form last time out in Alghero, with Willian finishing just off the podium in fourth, McClusky delivering a career-best 15th, and Copeland right behind in 17th.
Currently ranked seventh in the overall standings, Willian is chasing redemption in Hamburg after a bittersweet 2024 race.
“I’m excited. I was sitting in the number one position going into this race last year and got to have a beer afterwards with Matt (Hauser) when he won the gold,” Willian said.
“Hopefully roles reverse this year, and I can do something pretty special and have one with him on the podium together this time.”
Copeland, who scored his first World Triathlon Cup podium in six years earlier this season, is hoping a strong training block in Andorra will pay off in Germany.
“This is my third or fourth time here in Hamburg, so hopefully I can put the work I have done at altitude in Andorra to good use and come out swinging on Saturday,” he said.
Mercer, who has satisfied the automatic selection criteria required to be nominated for the World Triathlon Under 23 Championships in Wollongong later this year, is relishing the opportunity to step up.
“I’m super excited to race my first World Series,” Mercer said.
“I’m going to give it my all and just see how I go.”
In the women’s field, Sophie Linn makes her long-awaited return to the World Triathlon Championship Series following her Olympic debut in Paris last year.
The Colorado-based South Australian made a statement last month with silver at the Europe Triathlon Cup in Wels – her first race since Paris.
“This is my favourite race on the circuit, so I am very excited to get back out there,” Linn said.
“I have very good memories from the last couple of years here so I can’t wait to get going.”
Linn is joined by Emma Jeffcoat, Kira Hedgeland – making her first WTCS appearance since 2023 – and Charlotte Derbyshire, who is set for her own Series debut.
The 24-year-old South Australian, now based on the Gold Coast, has been building strong momentum this season – claiming silver at the Asia Triathlon Cup in Osaka Castle and recording a career-best eighth-place finish at last month’s World Triathlon Cup in Saidia.
Hamburg will also play host to the World Triathlon Mixed Relay Championships on Sunday night, with the Australian team to be confirmed following the individual races.
It’s a format that has delivered plenty of drama over the years – and one in which Australia will be hoping to return to the top.
The nation’s only Mixed Relay world title came back in 2018, when a fresh-faced teenage Matt Hauser teamed up with Charlotte McShane, Ashleigh Gentle, and Jacob Birtwhistle to claim gold in a breakout performance for the green and gold.
WTCS Hamburg – Elite Women
Sun 13 July – From 2:30am AEST
TriathlonLive
Charlotte Derbyshire
Kira Hedgeland
Emma Jeffcoat
Sophie Linn
WTCS Hamburg – Elite Men
Sun 13 July – From 12:35am AEST
TriathlonLive
Matt Hauser
Luke Willian
Brandon Copeland
Callum McClusky
Brayden Mercer
