World Champion Matt Hauser will lead the Australian charge at the World Triathlon Championship Series at Alghero in Italy, with the Olympic qualification period for LA 2028 officially starting this weekend.
Australia’s elite triathletes will start earning points towards LA 2028 qualification starting on the fast and technical streets of Sardinia, with in-form stars Hauser and Luke Willian set to take on the world’s best.
Australia showcased its depth on the world stage in Yokohama with Hauser claiming a historic double in his first race since claiming the world title in Wollongong last year.
The 28-year-old started the season in perfect fashion and is ready for more success in Italy.
“Sardinia is just a beautiful place in general, so to have Alghero on the world circuit is really exciting,” Hauser said.
“It’s definitely a race where the dynamics can change up quite a bit. It’s really quite a difficult and challenging bike course.
“Paired with a beach start and an ocean swim as well, it probably suits my strengths a fair bit. So that’ll be really fun to get back there after getting a second place last year.
“I’m just really looking forward to continuing, coming off a strong result in Yokohama.”
Hauser wasn’t the only athlete in green and gold to impress against a world-class field last week, with Brisbane’s Willian finishing third, to back up his sprint victory in Chengdu, China earlier this month.
“To come to Yokohama and podium, win the previous week in Chengdu, the form is looking good,” Willian said.
“Olympic points start in Alghero, everyone is going to be flying.” Callum McClusky will also line up alongside Hauser and Willian on Saturday.
The WTCS Alghero course is expected to provide exciting racing, with athletes tackling a 1500m swim, 40km bike and 10km run through the coastal Italian city.
With the 2028 LA Olympic Qualification process beginning, the event presents an important opportunity for Australia’s triathletes to test themselves against the world’s best and continue developing consistency on the championship circuit.
A maximum of 55 men and 55 women will compete at the LA 2028 Olympics, with a maximum of three athletes of each gender from any one country able to qualify. But the various potential routes to that start line are numerous for athletes.
Elite Men
Matt Hauser
Luke Willian
Callum McClusky
Full Elite Men, start list click here.
Watch all the action on TriathlonLive this Saturday 30th May
World Triathlon Championship Series – Alghero
Elite Women – 6:45pm (AEST)
Elite Men – 9:45pm (AEST)
