With only two international races on the docket, July came to an end with a set of brief, if boisterous, fireworks. The racing took place at opposite ends of the triathlon spectrum, from the current stars of the sport chasing this year’s world crown at the latest WTCS stop to what will hopefully usher in future chapters through the most recent Development Cup. Find out all you need to know in this week’s Monday Morning Mix.
WTCS London
We were promised stars in London and we got them. The reigning Olympic champion and 2024 world champion Cassandre Beaugrand (FRA) struck first in the women’s race to claim a third gold of the Series before the defending men’s world champion Matt Hauser (AUS) took a third straight 2026 win of his own in the men’s event.
Whereas Beaugrand had to bide her time in the chase pack behind a breakaway of Taylor Knibb (USA) and Tilly Anema (GBR) – until the Brit sadly came off her bike – Hauser was at the forefront of the men’s breakaway. Beaugrand then had to overcome the current world champion Lisa Tertsch (GER) and Tilda Månsson (SWE) but did so with an emphatic finish over the 5km run. For his part, Hauser was pushed all the way by Vasco Vilaca (POR) and Csongor Lehmann (HUN). Like Beaugrand, however, he looked unfazed as he delivered the decisive final blue on the blow carpet. View the full results here.
World Triathlon Development Regional Cup Vlasina Lake
The following day, the latest Development Cup took place in Serbia, an event at which the home team turned out in force. With Iva Pavlovic (SRB) leading the way, the Serbian team swept the women’s podium, Lana Gavrilović (SRB) taking silver and Maša Marković (SRB) the bronze after breaking away with Pavlovic.
Gavrilović would record the top swim split in the sprint distance event (10:26) with her teammates only a few seconds removed. Pavlovic then clocked the quickest time of the bike (33:57) and the field-leading effort on the run of 4th place finisher Sofya Kryvetskaya (BLR) (18:45) was not enough to overturn the damage.
The medals actually left Serbia in the men’s race as Croatia’s Gabriel Barac used a 15:24 5km run split to run away from Mikita Katsianeu (BLR) and win by 17 seconds. In doing so, Barac upgraded the silver medal he claimed at the Mamaia Development Cup earlier this year. Kai Azzopardi (MLT), a member of the thirteen-man breakaway alongside Barac and Katsianeu, then held onto the bronze medal ahead of his front pack rivals and the fast finishers in the chase pack. View the full results here.