As 2025 Championship Series commences, World Triathlon navigates foggy future.

TOGETHER WITH BLUESEVENTY

Good morning everyone,

For the throngs of people (my mom + one other) who have been asking when we would be doing a Tempo podcast, the day is almost here!

Episode one of “Tempo Talks,” a podcast hosted by myself and Dr. Jeffrey Sankoff - Age group champion, and host of the excellent TriDoc podcast - will look to help you…

• Understand the biggest stories in triathlon,

• Make you a better athlete with unique training tips,

• Breakdown the latest in sports science and performance!

We’ll be hitting record on Wednesday for episode one, so you’ll most likely see a call to listen in Friday’s edition! And if you ever have burning training or other triathlon questions you want answered, just respond to our email!

In today’s edition:

• 🧭 As 2025 Championship Series commences, World Triathlon navigates foggy future.

• 💡 12 endurance truths that will make you a better athlete.

• 🩸 And how to optimize your iron absorption!

Thanks for being here.

-Matt Sharpe, newsletter editor

Have a triathlete in your life who can't stop swimming, biking, or running? Fire this off to them. Forwarded from a friend? Sign-up for free.

ONE BIG THING

As 2025 Championship Series Commences, World Triathlon Navigates Foggy Future

What is it: This weekend the World Triathlon Championship Series kicks off in Abu Dhabi. And after two COVID-disrupted Olympic cycles, this weekend’s race marks a return to the standard four-year campaign.

• But this return to normal is marked with uncertainty as marquee athletes jump ship to long course, a controversial new president looks to make his mark, and the governing body deepens its relationship with the unpredictable T100 Triathlon World Tour.

Stars step away: Athletes typically make changes following Olympic years, but this season sees a tsunami of stars stepping away from the blue carpet.

World Triathlon’s most recognizable talent including former World Champions Vincent Luis (FRA), and Flora Duffy (BER), and World Championship Series medalists like Taylor Knibb (USA), Hayden Wilde (NZ), and Georgia Taylor-Brown (GBR) will all be fully departing to long course racing, or racing extremely limited World Triathlon calendars.

A President positions: With a controversial election behind him, new World Triathlon President Antonio Arimany will be looking to turn the fortunes of an organization which has been fighting to succeed in an ever-changing endurance market.

• What was once a convincing sell to cities like London, Chicago, Sydney, Cape Town, and Montreal, World Triathlon’s flagship Championship Series has struggled to retain and persuade new host cities to spend upwards of USD $500,000 on an event.

• And for the first time ever, World Triathlon has released a calendar featuring a race that is without a confirmed location.

Tighter with T100: When World Triathlon signed its 12-year strategic partnership with the T100 last year, it opened the door for “hosting shorter distance events alongside the T100 Tour.”

• Although there hasn’t been evidence of a combined WTCS/T100 event yet, the recent announcement that T100 would be producing the newly named “T1 Indoor Triathlon World Cup” on behalf of World Triathlon points to deepening ties between the organizations.

Tempo’s take: Post-Olympics it’s natural to see athletes make changes to their racing. But for World Triathlon, this exodus of athletes is particularly troubling as many of them push the pace from the gun, often creating dynamic and intriguing breakaways leading to unpredictable race finishes.

• Without them, the racing looks to mostly feature the dreaded shampoo/blowdry/10k run that makes for uninteresting, predictable race dynamics.

To WT’s credit, a number of this series races are set to include hilly bike courses which can help break up the packs on the bike.

• As a World Triathlon athlete, I hated those courses. But as a fan, they are usually a lot more interesting!

The new World Triathlon President Arimany has a tall task ahead of him; quickly pivot a large, bureaucratic governing body to respond to the needs of the current endurance market. And the T100 partnership actually looks like a shrewd decision to accomplish this goal.

• But the big question. Can World Triathlon rely on the startup series to help complete its revolution? Or will it eventually be forced to go alone…

TOGETHER WITH BLUESEVENTY

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FAVORITES

💡 12 Endurance Truths: Big things first - then marginal gains, keep training consistent and sustainable, and the importance of rest days - all three truths are critical for your endurance performance, and this list has nine other ones you need to know! [Fast Talk Labs]

🩸 Iron absorption: Iron is critical to your performance, immune and overall health. But of course, your body can only get it from your diet! But if you don’t time it right, you could be missing out on crucial absorption windows. This article explains all you need to know about Iron absorption and how exercise influences it! [My Sports Science]

🔥 Your indoor upgrade: Pain cave or gain cave? Whatever you call your indoor training setup, it can be an essential part of your endurance performance and health. So, if you’re looking for a little upgrade, check out this video that shows five ways to optimize your indoor cycling setup! [One Last Lap]

👟 15 most exciting shoes: We’re still early in 2025, and if you’re looking to shake up your shoe rotation this year, this video, and the 15 shoes that are reviewed, might have something that could be a game-changer for your training. [Believe in the Run]

Where to Find the Best Deals on Hoka Shoes

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Here are the top 8 stores where you can find great deals on Hoka.

REEL TIME

We don’t train for the awards or the health benefits. It’s all about the Dr’s office flex! 😎

movewithsha

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QUICK NEWS

Brilliant Beaugrand: Olympic gold medalist and World Champion Cassandre Beaugrand (FRA) won’t be making her triathlon debut this weekend in Abu Dhabi. She’s been too busy breaking the French National 5k record while running a blistering 14:53 at the Monaco 5k! [TRI247]

Age group drafting: This weekend Challenge Wanaka kicks off and will see the very first use of the innovative, drafting detection technology, RaceRanger, in an age group race! [Scoop]

Board shakeup: USA Triathlon has announced a new board chair - Henry Brandon - and vice chair - Dylan Sorenson, among other moves. [Slowtwitch]

Letterkenny linkup: Find your next challenge at the Letterkenny Triathlon Club open house on Wednesday, Feb 12 at the Aura Leisure Centre. [Donegal Daily]

TEMPO EXCLUSIVE ARCHIVE

• Build it, but will they come? The crazy story of the Triterium. 

• Why you need to train faster (not harder!) Vol. 1

• Are you making the four most-common nutrition mistakes?

LATEST EDITIONS

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• T100 reveals a surprising rebrand. And how to improve your FTP!