Vicky Holland Secures First ITU WTS Championship
Great Britain's Vicky Holland had a season of dreams in 2018. Not only did she win in Leeds, Edmonton and Montreal, but she also placed second on the Gold Coast by the narrowest of margins (see below). Holland secured the ITU WTS championship for the first time and deservedly so.
Katie Zaferes and Vicky Holland Sprint to the Finish
Although it wasn't for first place, WTS Bermuda had one of the most exciting finishes in recent memory. Great Britain's Vicky Holland and USA's Katie Zaferes sprinted neck and neck down the blue carpet towards the finish and crossed the line so closely that it required photo analysis. After deliberation, it was officially decided that Holland edged out Zaferes for a hard-fought second place behind Holland.
Mario Mola Three-Peats as ITU WTS Champion
Mario Mola has quickly cemented himself as one of the best triathletes of his generation. This year, he secured his third straight ITU WTS championship title with four wins throughout the season. This got us thinking—what's next for the Spaniard? Will he eventually join Gómez at the IRONMAN distance?
Javier Gómez Noya Makes His IRONMAN Debut
Javier Gómez Noya is no stranger to the podium with eight world championship titles and a silver medal at the Olympics. This year though, he made the leap to the full IRONMAN distance and competed at IRONMAN Cairns in June. In typical Gómez fashion, the Spaniard placed second behind Braden Currie—both of which went sub-8 hours, we might add. His podium finish secured his Kona slot, and Gómez ended up finishing an impressive 11th in his Kona debut.
Andrew Talansky Transitions from Pro Cycling to Triathlon
In a move that shocked the professional cycling scene, Andrew Talansky announced his retirement from pro cycling in 2017, instead opting to race triathlon. The former Criterium du Dauphine winner and top-10 finisher in the Vuelta a España made his IRONMAN debut at IRONMAN Canada, finishing in seventh place in the men's professional field. Although his results haven't been top notch, it will be interesting to watch his progression over the next few years.