Reigning World Champion Matt Hauser has continued his extraordinary 2026 season, producing another lion-hearted performance to claim victory at the World Triathlon Championship Series event in London and further cement his status as the man to beat on the road to LA 2028.
Racing over a fast sprint-distance course through London’s iconic Royal Docks precinct, Hauser mastered the 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike and 5-kilometre run to add another WTCS gold medal to an already outstanding campaign.
The victory follows earlier WTCS triumphs in Yokohama and Hamburg, where the Queenslander became the first man in history to win three consecutive WTCS races in the German city.
Hauser showed great speed to win a sprint finish to claim victory.
“The atmosphere is electric, made it really cool coming through that finishing straight,” Hauser said.
“It was nice to have another battle with Vasco and see what we had left in the end.
“I wanted to play it a bit differently and see what I had in an all-out sprint. It was nice to get the inside line early and hold it there as well.”
Australia again showcased its growing depth in the men’s field, led by Olympian Luke Willian, who continued his consistent WTCS campaign with another strong performance. Callum McClusky also gained valuable championship points and experience against one of the strongest fields assembled this season. Unfortunately, Brayden Mercer was the victim of a nasty crash during the final lap of the bike course and was unable to carry on. After receiving treatment overnight in a London hospital, Mercer still has his trademark smile as he jets home to Australia to begin his recovery.
Australia was also represented in the elite women’s race by Sophie Malowiecki, who continues to build valuable experience at WTCS level following her breakthrough World Cup podium earlier this year.
The World Triathlon Championship Series now heads to Weihai, China, in late August as Australia’s squad continues its pursuit of podium finishes and valuable championship points in the lead-up to September’s World Championship Finals in Pontevedra.
RESULTS
Elite Men
Matt Hauser – 1st
Luke Willian – 7th
Callum McClusky – 15th
Brayden Mercer – DNF
Elite Women
Sophie Malowiecki – 40th
