If the first two rounds of the 2025 World Para Series have been anything to go by, Para Triathlon is clearly going from strength to strength. Two great weekends of racing have already taken place in Devonport and most recently Yokohama, with world and Paralympic champions stepping up to the plate and several nail-biting finishes being delivered, such as in the men’s PTS5 class at the weekend. With two more Series events in Taranto and Montreal to come in June and July, respectively, there will be no shortage of drama on the road to the World Championships in Wollongong.
This weekend, the racing shifts gear with the second of six World Para Cups planned this season taking place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. An array of Para Triathlon talent set to start and the event looks set to keep up the momentum that has been building since the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Read on to find out some of the top names on the start lists.
European champion Bence Mocsari (HUN) will be going for gold in the men’s PTS5 class. The Paris Paralympian has shown the ability to deliver on the big stage but will have no shortage of rivals in Samarkand as the PTS5 class is the largest of all the Para fields this weekend.
Thomas Fruehwirth (AUT) won the first World Para Cup of the year in Abu Dhabi and enters as the favourite in the men’s PTWC event. If the World Para Triathlon Championships bronze medallist matches the sparkling form he showed in Abu Dhabi, gold seems assured. At the same time, he suffered a DQ in Yokohama at the weekend so may have a point to prove.
Over in the men’s PTVI class, Paralympic medallist Thibaut Rigaudeau (FRA) can be expected to come out on top in Samarkand if he plays his cards right. Based on results from the past year, he should comfortably win this race. Equally, Para Triathlon tends to throw up shock results and it could be one of the biggest names in the field that ends up on the wrong side of one.
Another good battle should be in store in the women’s PTVI class with Paris Paralympian Heloise Courvoisier (FRA) the favourite. Meanwhile, the home team will be hoping either Kamolakhon Akhmatkhonova (UZB) or Shokhsanam Sobirjonova (UZB) can deliver gold in the women’s PTS5 race.
With plenty of Para Triathlon action to come in Samarkand and beyond, be sure to stay up to date with all the latest developments across all World Triathlon channels.