Africa Triathlon

In a busy weekend for triathlon, there is an exciting double header of events in the small but energetic town of Tiszaujvaros, Hungary. On Saturday 11th of August the BG Triathlon World Cup series moves into town for the 11th consecutive year. This race, famous for its festival atmosphere, will be the last major tune-up for the athletes before the World Championships in Hamburg, Germany. World number one Javier Gomez of Spain looks to be the favourite in the men’s event, while Joelle Franzmann of Germany looks to retain the title she won in 2006.


The energitic local crowd cheer on the men during the 2006 BG Triathlon World Cup

Then on Sunday 12th of August, Tiszaujvaros plays host to the 2007 ITU Elite Team Triathlon World Championships. The city played hosted the inaugural event in 2003, and since then the event has grown in popularity. In a dynamic and fast paced event, teams of three compete for the world championship crown. Each member of the team will conduct a super-sprint triathlon (250m swim – 7.2km bike – 1.6 run). When the first athlete finishes, they hand off to the second member of the team. The finish time of the team will be determined by the third athlete crossing the finish-line. The entire event will be over in less than one hour.

When the event was first hosted in Tiszaujvaros in 2003, it was an all-Australian affair, with the Aussie’s capturing both the men’s and women’s titles. The men’s team at the time featured relative unknowns, Simon Thompson and Brad Kahlefeldt.


Pictures from the live coverage of the ITU Elite Team Triathlon World Championships in 2003



2003 Tiszaujvaros ITU Elite Team Triathlon World Championships

  Elite Men

  1 Australia

  2 Spain

  3 Ukraine

 

  Elite Women

  1 Australia

  2 Spain

  3 Italy

A new men’s team champion will be crowned as last year’s winners from the United States will not defend their title. Spain and Australia will field strong teams vying for the world championship as well as the victor’s share of US$25,000. In the women’s field, Italy will be looking to retain its world team championship from last year in Cancun but will face stiff competition from the Aussies, Germans and South Africans.

2006 Cancun ITU Elite Team Triathlon World Championships

  Elite Men

  1 USA

  2 Germany

  3 Canada

 

  Elite Women

  1 Italy

  2 USA

  3 Spain

 

 
The Italian team will be back to defent their world championship title.

Many of the world’s best triathletes will be using this event to sharpen their skills and work on their speed, just weeks before they compete as individuals at the 2007 Hamburg BG Triathlon World Championships in Germany.