The world of triathlon is set to witness an unprecedented event as the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) announced the launch of the T100 Triathlon World Tour, marking a significant milestone in the sport’s history.
This series, following a rebrand from the previous PTO Tour, promises to elevate professional triathlon to new heights, featuring a lineup of the world’s elite athletes and an expanded calendar that spans across three continents.
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T100 Triathlon World Tour Races
Scheduled to kick off in Miami on 9 March 2024, and concluding with a grand finale in November, the T100 Triathlon World Tour will host eight races in iconic locations worldwide.
This strategic expansion aims to showcase top-tier long-distance triathlon action, with athletes competing over a unique 100km distance.
The full T100 Triathlon World Tour calendar for 2024 is as follows:
- March 9 – Miami T100
- April 12-14 – Singapore T100
- June – California T100 (date to be confirmed)
- July 27-28 – London T100
- Sept 28-29 – Ibiza T100
- Oct 19-20 – Lake Las Vegas T100
- Nov 16-17 – Dubai T100
- Nov 29-30 – Grand Final (location to be confirmed)
Stellar Athlete Line-Up
The T100 Triathlon World Tour’s announcement has ignited excitement among fans and athletes, notably with the participation of two-time Olympic champion Alistair Brownlee and Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Flora Duffy. Their involvement alongside 40 of the world’s premier triathletes, such as Anne Haug, Ashleigh Gentle, and Lucy Charles-Barclay, promises a fiercely competitive and thrilling series.
Alistair Brownlee, celebrated for his victories at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics, is eyeing a remarkable debut in Singapore when the tour arrives at Marina Bay in April.
After an ankle injury sidelined him for the majority of the 2023 season, Brownlee, at 35, is eager to tackle the challenges of Singapore’s climate and the scenic yet demanding course. “I’m really excited at the prospect of racing the Singapore T100,” he remarked, emphasising his anticipation for the race’s unique atmosphere and his strategic focus on fitness and consistent training as the season progresses.
Ashleigh Gentle, the women’s defending champion, anticipates reigniting her rivalry with Anne Haug in Singapore, aiming to defend her title.
Gentle reflected on the previous year’s race with fondness, highlighting the exceptional support from spectators and the enjoyment derived from the course’s unique layout, including its multi-lap segments that amplify the excitement for both athletes and fans.
“Singapore was my favourite race in 2023,” Gentle shared, expressing her desire to replicate her success and retain her position at the pinnacle of the PTO rankings.
Partnering for Progress
A landmark partnership agreement with World Triathlon in August 2023 has positioned the T100 Triathlon World Tour as the official World Championship tour for long-distance triathlon.
This collaboration underscores a shared vision to bring positive change, innovation, and inclusivity to the triathlon community. It’s a step towards creating a sustainable and competitive landscape that not only benefits athletes but also engages fans and stakeholders in a more profound, meaningful way.
Reflecting on the tour’s significance, PTO Executive Chairman Chris Kermode stated,
We’ve been clear that we wanted to create a tour that represents the pinnacle of the sport and have talked about the importance of a season-long schedule of high-quality racing that sees the world’s best endurance athletes going head-to-head on a consistent basis in different, iconic locations. So we are hugely excited to be able to announce the 2024 calendar, that it will now be known as the T100 Triathlon World Tour and a world-class group of athletes. This is a significant step forward for the PTO and its ambition to elevate professional triathlon on a global sporting stage and is the culmination of what we’ve been working hard to achieve over the last 12 months.
PTO Executive Chairman Chris Kermode
Meanwhile, World Triathlon President Marisol Casado shared,
When we announced our partnership with PTO last summer, the goal that we had in mind was exactly this: to be able to deliver a brand new series of events that have their own ecosystem and that will elevate our sport to new heights. By uniting our strengths, passion and dedication, we aim to bring positive change and innovation to the triathlon community. Together, we aspire to forge a more inclusive, fair, competitive and sustainable landscape for athletes, fans and stakeholders. The T100 Triathlon World Tour exemplifies the tremendous potential that arises when organisations align their visions, fostering a thriving environment for the sport we all hold dear.
World Triathlon President Marisol Casado
Key Features and Structure of the T100 Triathlon World Tour
The Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) has recently detailed the operational framework and incentives associated with the newly launched T100 Triathlon World Tour. This section outlines the essential aspects of participation, competition, and reward mechanisms designed to enhance the competitive landscape of the series.
Athlete Participation and Competition Format
- Athlete Contracts: The T100 Triathlon World Tour has secured contracts with 20 female and 20 male athletes, totaling 40 participants for the season. This ensures a consistent presence of top-tier talent across the races.
- Race Participation Requirements: Each contracted athlete is obligated to compete in a minimum of five races, in addition to participating in the Grand Final. Notably, this requirement is adjusted for athletes who have also qualified for the Olympics, acknowledging their broader competitive commitments.
- Wildcards: The PTO has introduced a discretionary number of wildcard entries for each event. These wildcards allow for additional athletes to compete based on the available spots, ensuring a dynamic and inclusive competitive field.
Scoring System and Prize Distribution
- Points System: The scoring mechanism awards points ranging from 35 for first place to 1 point for 20th place at each race. This structured approach incentivises performance consistency across the tour.
- Grand Final Points Increase: In an effort to amplify the competitive stakes, the Grand Final will offer increased points, with 55 points awarded to the winner down to 4 points for lower placements. This adjustment is designed to maintain suspense and competition throughout the season.
- Prize Fund: Each race within the T100 series boasts a prize fund of US$250,000, cumulatively amounting to $2,000,000 across the eight races. The distribution for the top three positions at each race is set at $25,000 for first place, $16,000 for second, and $12,000 for third.
- Championship Rewards: The series champions, crowned following the Grand Final, will receive $210,000 each from an additional prize pool of $2,000,000, highlighting the significant financial incentive for top performers.
- Financial Implications and Athlete Compensation: The aggregate financial commitment to athlete compensation exceeds $7,000,000, encompassing athlete contracts, individual race prize funds, and the overall T100 Triathlon World Tour prize pool. This comprehensive compensation package not only rewards the series winners but also acknowledges the considerable achievement of competing at such a high level.
Amateurs on the T100 Triathlon World Tour
Aside from the professional competition, the T100 Triathlon World Tour is set to include mass participation events for amateur athletes, offering them the opportunity to compete on the same courses as their professional counterparts.
This inclusive approach facilitates mass participation at several events of the tour, including stages in Singapore, London, Ibiza, Lake Las Vegas, Dubai, and the Grand Final. The initiative introduces a 100km distance for amateurs at six of the eight stages, aligning with the professional format and allowing participants to experience the same courses as the elite athletes.
Furthermore, the collaboration between the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) and World Triathlon enriches the amateur racing experience by incorporating Age Group championship designations at selected stages. This arrangement gives amateur athletes the chance to represent their country, adhering to the standard selection processes outlined by World Triathlon and the PTO.
Sign-ups for the Singapore T100 triathlon and duathlon are open.
