Reigning world champion Matt Hauser celebrated 25 years of Hamburg on the World Triathlon calendar in style, claiming his third consecutive win and etching his name in the history books.
In sweltering conditions on the Alster Lake, Matt Hauser (AUS) clocked the fastest 5km run of the day at 14m18s to claim the victory, holding off Vasco Vilaca (POR) by just three seconds, with home favourite Henry Graf (GER) completing the podium a further five seconds back.
Gold marked Hauser’s third straight win at WTCS Hamburg, following victories in 2024 and 2025, a hat-trick that makes him the standout name in the race’s 25-year history.
“It’s been a magical ride for me here in Hamburg,” said Hauser.
“Alghero was obviously a big disappointment for me but my team and I worked hard up at altitude and knew we had to come here and get a good result and good points on the board,” he said.
Only 10 seconds separated the top 20 men as the bike quickly organised itself into a large front group containing most of the pre-race favourites, who worked together to keep the pace honest through the Hamburg heat.
Alberto Gonzalez Garcia (ESP) was enjoying plenty of clear air out front and driving things forwards for much of the 20km bike, before home hero Henry Graf pushed to the front of that group and led the field into T2.
Wilde, Oliver Conway (GBR), Morgan Pearson (USA) and David Cantero Del Campo (ESP) started the run 45 seconds off the leaders, Simon Westermann (SUI) and Conor Bentley (GBR) bolting out of transition just ahead of Hauser.
The run then became Hauser’s stage. Already up among the leaders including Henry Graf and Charles Paquet alongside Nils Serre of France, Hauser kept the pace high and kicked with 700m to go to clock the fastest 5km of the day at 2:52/km, crossing the line for a famous hat trick of wins and reminding the world exactly why he is the defending world champion.
“Charles was doing a lot of work at the front (of the run) but pulled to the side at the headwind and I wanted to try and put a few seconds into them,” Hauser said.
“It’s not easy to drop Vasco and Henry, guys of that calibre… I’m coming from the bottom up (of the rankings) this time, and there’s a long way to go (in the season),” he said.
The Aussies will return to the Hamburg course tomorrow, to defend their Mixed Relay World Championships title from 2025, one of the sport’s premier events and a key Olympic discipline.
The Australian Para triathlon team will also compete on Sunday 12 July in Hamburg, with Lauren Parker, Anu Francis, Jack Howell, Sam Harding (Guide – Aaron Royle), Maggie Sandles (Guide – Lauren Sprague) and Jack Gibson set to race as they continue their international campaigns.
AUSTRALIAN RESULTS
Elite Men
- Matt Hauser – 1st
- Callum McClusky – 17th
- Luke Willian – 37th
- Brayden Mercer – 44th
- Luke Schofield – 47th
Elite Women
- Sophie Malowiecki – 31st
- Aspen Anderson – 38th
