Time is running out. The 47 women on the start list of WTCS Karlovy Vary will be well aware that this is the final opportunity to boost their points and rankings ahead of the Series Final in Pontevedra. For some, Karlovy Vary might be the difference between making it to the Final or not; for others, it could decide crucial spots in the end of season standings with all the associated prize money ramifications.
For Beth Potter (GBR) and Lisa Tertsch (GER), time is slipping away in an altogether different respect. In the race to catch Cassandre Beaugrand (FRA). At this point in the year, nothing less than a win will do, but over a fearsome course against a star-studded field extracting that win will demand everything they have.
A two lap 1500m swim opens up proceedings with the first buoy fiendishly close at 205m; expect plenty of flying elbows. A 6.5km approach on the bike then brings the athletes into the town before they tackle seven 4.9km laps with a delightful 20% ascent on each. Four 2.5km run laps tie things up, with plenty of cobbles thrown in just to keep everyone on their toes. Whoever wins in Karlovy Vary can therefore only do it the hard way, and you can watch every moment the easy way on TriathlonLive from 10:00 (CEST).
Gold or nothing
Given Beaugrand’s significant gap at the top of the standings, only a win will really suffice if Potter and Tertsch hope to beat her to the world title in Pontevedra. Of course, both will be aware that DNFs or misfortune may shape the Series Final as Potter - unhappily - and Tertsch - happily - experienced last year. But it is asking a lot of the universe to settle the world title like that.
Instead, Potter will hope to repeat her victory from last year in Karlovy Vary to draw 75 points closer to Beaugrand and 150 points behind in total. Meanwhile, a repeat of last year’s bronze will do nothing for Tertsch. Even a silver will leave her a few points behind Tilda Månsson (SWE) in 3rd place. If the world champion is to make the overall podium, let alone catch Beaugrand, she needs a win. The pressure, then, is truly on.
Back for more
Last year’s silver medallist Taylor Spivey (USA) returns in search of another podium visit. She was close in Hamburg earlier this summer, where she placed 4th, but Karlovy Vary is a course that really plays to her strengths. After breaking away with Maya Kingma (NED) last time round, expect Spivey to be closely guarded on the bike.
Georgia Taylor-Brown (GBR) is also a previous medallist. She took a silver medal of her own at the Karlovy Vary World Cup in 2020. After spending last year and much of this year in the T100, Taylor-Brown’s cycling strength should be more than up to the challenge of Karlovy Vary’s hills. And if everything clicks into place, a first Series medal in two years could be in the offing.
Another name to watch will be Márta Kropkó (HUN). Similarly to Spivey, Kropkó was part of a two-woman breakaway with Kingma in 2024. While that did not yield a medal as she just missed out on the run, she repeated the trick recently with Taylor Knibb (USA) in Edmonton, landing a first World Cup podium for her troubles. If anyone is likely to profit from a breakaway this weekend, there is a strong chance it will be Kropkó.
Potential curveballs
Elsewhere in the field, a host of WTCS medallists could conceivably shut everyone named so far out from the podium. Jeanne Lehair (LUX) has unfinished business in Karlovy Vary. After crashing early in the bike last year, she rallied to finish 4th. With better luck this year, a podium is definitely obtainable.
WTCS medallists Rosa Tapia Maria Vidal (MEX), Tanja Neubert (GER) and Laura Lindemann (GER) likewise could upset those ranked ahead. Neubert, an explosive cyclist, should love the bike course while Lindemann is as experienced as they come.
Finally, Bianca Serengi (ITA) is another past medallist having taken silver in Karlovy Vary in 2022. It feels more fitting to slot in her mention here rather than in the previous section, though, as she could be the biggest potential curveball in the field. No one else feels quite as likely to attempt a solo attack from the start and try to hold on.
Our reason to think she might give it a go: she succeeded with that exact strategy on her way to gold at the Mediterranean Games just over a week ago. A WTCS field is a different matter, but Seregni has destroyed her fair share of those in the water over the years. As a double WTCS medallist, she also has the bike and run skills to handle the challenge. To borrow from Nike: Just Do It, Bianca.