Lasse Priester headlines men's field as World Cup racing returns to Weihai

by courtney.akrigg@triathlon.org on 24 Aug, 2023 06:44 • Español

Top athletes on the World Triathlon Cup tour land in Weihai, China, this week for their next race of the season and offers athletes a strong opportunity to make their mark on the World Triathlon race scene, earn valuable points and for some, the chance to have breakthrough performances, at this tier of Elite World Triathlon racing. The 2023 World Triathlon Cup Weihai is on Saturday, 26th August with the men starting from Ocean Bay at 8.30am local time and the women following at 11.15am. Fans can tune in and follow the races, streamed in full, on TriathlonLive.tv

The destination and format
The race destination Weihai is a major seaport in the easternmost Shandong province and lies on the north coast of the Shandong Peninsula, eastern China. Tourists flock to Weihai to enjoy the many attractions, including its stunning beach. It borders Yantai to the west and the Yellow Sea to the east and is the closest Chinese city to South Korea and returns to the World Triathlon calendar after the previous edition in 2019. The new course is challenging and the heat and humidity will be a factor that will test the top World Cup athletes.

Saturday’s World Triathlon Cup Weihai will feature an Olympic-distance course that includes a 1.5km swim over 2 laps in Ocean Bay, followed by an 8-lap bike course across 40km with scenic views of the seaside and includes a technically challenging course with hilly sections and corners to navigate. Athletes will then be faced with a 10km run portion of the race over 4-laps, before coming down the blue carpet to finish in front of the seaport with the stunning coastal backdrop.

The headliners
Germany’s Lasse Nygaard Priester is at the top of the men’s 2023 World Triathlon Cup Weihai start list ahead of Saturday’s standard-distance race.
“I really like the venue with the race taking place on the beach side and my goal is to perform well on a demanding course and heat. With exciting weeks ahead, I would like to get a good start of racing here in China,” said Priester.

Priester is also joined by fellow countryman Johannes Vogel who will be wearing one and two respectively come race day. Priester claimed victory in the 2023 Germany Sprint Triathlon National Championships and silver in the 2023 Europe Triathlon Sprint and Relay Championships Balikesir individual race. Vogel competed in the Olympic Triathlon Test Event in Paris last week so brings strong form to Weihai and also produced a top 10 finish in the inaugural 2023 World Triathlon Championship Series Sunderland.

Ones to watch
Japan’s Jumpei Furuya is not afraid to attack and form a breakaway on the bike and will be one to watch on the 8-lap bike course in Weihai on Saturday. Furuya came 6th in the 2023 World Triathlon Cup Yeongdo this month and also competed in the prestigious Olympic Triathlon Test Event in Paris last week.

New Zealand’s Trent Thorpe had a brilliant race in the recent Yeongdo World Cup, just shy of the podium in 4th place. Thorpe will be ready for redemption and aims for a spot on the men’s podium in Weihai.

Romania’s Felix Duchampt is an extremely experienced World Triathlon Cup athlete and claimed gold in the 2023 2023 Americas Triathlon Cup Chinchiná. Duchampt is no stranger to standard-distance racing in hot and hot and humid conditions and will prove a threat to the field if he can remain with the leaders on the bike and run.

Ecuador’s Juan Jose Andrade Figueroa won the 2023 Santa Marta South American Beach Games and has arrived in China looking to bring his best game to the field.

Luxembourg’s Gregor Payet, Austria’s Martin Demuth and Lukas Pertl are stars on the World Cup circuit and will be on the hunt for podium results and Olympic points at the World Cup in Weihai.

Mexico brings a strong contingent of top men on the circuit with the likes of Irving Perez, Rodrigo Gonzalez and Crisanto Grajales. All athletes are Olympians and are chasing Olympic points during the currect qualification period for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Jumpei is joined a line-up of Japanese team members featuring Aoba Yasumatsu, Ren Sato and Makoto Odakura.

Itamar Eshed, Roe Zoarets and Itamar Levanon are representing Israel in the 2023 World Cup in Weihai. The athletes will no doubt be edged on by team support and rivalry, all contesting for their first World Cup medal.

Russell White of Ireland returns to racing after not having raced in a World Cup since 2021 and will no doubt be looking to put it all on the line in Saturday’s race.

10 athletes are on the men’s start list to represent China and perform in front of a home crowd.

With Olympic dreams being a key part of athlete schedules and decisions where and when to race, concentration will be required from the start of the race, leaving the podium predictions wide open in Weihai.

How to watch
2023 World Triathlon Cup Weihai will be streamed in full on TriathlonLive.tv with the Elite men starting at 8.30am local time and the women following at 11.15am. Review the full men’s start list and follow the action live!