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World Triathlon, T100 to Launch New Triathlon World Tour
T100/World Triathlon tighten, improve your stride, and resistance bands for your better swim!
Matthew Sharpe
December 22, 2025
Good morning everyone,
It’s that time of year when many of us are enjoying some holiday cheer. And whether you’re spending quality time with family and friends, sneaking in a run on Christmas day, or even tossing some eggnog in your water bottle, we hope the season treats you well.
Here at Tempo HQ, we’ll be enjoying more than a few holiday treats - and doing some forward planning for 2026. It’s a new era for us, so it’s time to map out what the future could look like! 💪
In today’s edition:
🌍 World Triathlon, T100 to launch new Triathlon World Tour
🏃♂️ How to improve your stride - the right way!
🏊♂️ And could resistance bands take your swim from OK to amazing?!?
-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
World Triathlon, T100 to Launch New Triathlon World Tour
T100
What is it: Last week, it was revealed that the T100 and World Triathlon would be joining forces to launch a unified Triathlon World Tour, set to debut in 2027.
The new Tour will combine the existing T100 Triathlon World Tour, the World Triathlon Championship Series, and World Triathlon Cups with the following rebrands:
The T100 Triathlon World Tour 👉 T100 World Championship Tour.
The World Triathlon Championship Series 👉 T50 World Championship Series.
World Triathlon Cups and Continental Cup Events 👉 Challenger Series.
Explanation? Consolidation: Under the joint venture, both entities will retain their independence. World Triathlon will remain the governing body of the sport, and the T100 will be responsible for commercial strategy and broadcast production.
The goal, according to T100 CEO Sam Renouf, is to allow for a consistent global media product and the opportunity for greater commercial growth.
Details to come: In the release, there were few specifics on how the joint venture would work or what it would look like. However, details on format, branding, and the competition structure are expected to be unveiled in early 2026.
Tempo’s take: When World Triathlon and the T100 signed their landmark 12-year partnership last fall, this was surely the vision. And for both, it’s a winner.
World Triathlon relies on IOC funding and public subsidies to run its event business. This is unsustainable, and the T100 brings a model that can work.
And Renouf attains the institutional backing he needs to get the T100 format into the Olympics, and backstop the upstart series.
Of course, it’s been a rocky year for the T100 CEO. A near bankruptcy, cancelled races, and lap-gate took their toll. But a last-minute cash injection, sold-out 2026 races, and now World Triathlon tailwinds have set him up for a 2026 to be reckoned with.
So what is IRONMAN and CEO Scott DeRue to make of this increasing coziness between the sports governing body and the T100? Is World Triathlon a regulator, or a rival?
And at what point does IRONMAN begin to question whether that relationship still serves its interests?
As the athletes battle on the course, a future war could be brewing in the boardrooms - one that could decide the true pinnacle of the sport.
Are we headed towards a Triathlon split? |
FAVORITES
🏃♂️ Improve your stride: Have you ever tried to change your stride mid-run? Unfortunately, this may do more harm than good! Instead, look for improvements in strength to upgrade your stride as explained in this article! [TrainingPeaks]
📈 Triathlon growth: Is it just us, or are start lines feeling busier? If you feel the same, you’re not alone. And this fascinating report confirms that race signups are growing. But by how much? And could that mean higher entry fees? Find out here! [Triathlete]
🥦 Your gut health: Your gut microbiome isn’t just here for your digestion. It helps keep your immunity and energy levels at peak performance. So why do so many of us still have poor gut health even if we practice “healthy” habits? Learn more here. [Self]
🏊♂️ Activate your swim: Could the difference between an OK and an amazing swim be your pre-workout activation? This video shows a few key resistance band exercises that can be done pre-swim to help you physically and mentally activate! [Propulsion Swimming]
🥤 Big gulp gains: Is it better to guzzle down big volumes of your racing and training nutrition? Or take frequent but smaller doses. Well, scientists actually studied this, and not going to lie, we were very surprised by the answer. [My Sports Science]
REEL TIME
You have to give this guy an A for effort, and maybe some Tylenol! 🤕 😂
TEMPO TALKS PODCAST
Is Stretching Actually Bad For You?
And what does the World Triathlon and T100 merger mean for you?
All this and more in the latest episode of the Tempo Talks podcast.
QUICK NEWS
Pro Tri collapse? The 13-year-old BMC Pro Triathlon team that produced athletes like IRONMAN World Champion, Chelsea Sodaro, appears to have lost its title sponsor - but, apparently, will not be folding!
Rest in peace: Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the two Frisco-area triathletes, Scott Mages and Andre Kocher, who were tragically killed after a car collided with them while they were cycling. [Star-Telegram]
Sick with success: Despite a rough bout of food poisoning, Philippine athletes Ellis and Remolino were still able to secure Silver medals at the recent SEA Games! [Spin]
Tri do: Congrats to professional triathletes Hayden Wilde and Hannah De Vet on their recent engagement! [TRI247]
Madrid madness: For the first time in years, middle-distance triathlon will return to Spain’s capital at the 2026 El Half Madrid! [Triatlon Noticias]
YOU SAID
Here’s what you thought about the T100 heading into 2026!
Reader: I did the inaugural Vegas race in 2024 and really enjoyed it. That race going away, and the closest to me being Vancouver takes me out of signing up in 2026. Not willing to risk spending the money on events that may or may not happen, or get moved to where I may not want or be able to travel. I’ll stick with the consistency of both product and race venues…Ironman.
Reader: I just did the age group championship in Qatar and thought it was a fantastic race and an awesome excuse to go on vacation somewhere I probably otherwise never would have seen. Qatar was a great location, and I really loved the trip there and highly recommend it to others. I’m really excited to see if the new races they are going to announce and hope they will lead to me travelling somewhere new and unique in the future for a race.
Reader: Unlike much of the professional racing at Ironman events (except of course, the championship races at Nice & Kona), the T100 provides a very competitive thoroughbred-like style of racing where all three legs really matter. Triathletes with a weakness are found out - ask Sam Long & Jason West & Menno Koolhaas & Vincent Luis. The racing is truly fast & furious from gun to tape, and the 20 metre draft zone makes for a more honest race. The format is exciting for both athletes & spectators.
Reader: I would like to do one of the age group races, but am reluctant to commit given the last-minute cancellations and what I would lose in airfares, etc.
Reader: I’m an avid competitor, but for m,e the T100 doesn’t offer value for money. From what I’ve seen, the courses are too busy with Age Group athletes, the price is too high, and the ‘wow factor’ is missing. For now, at least, I’ll stick with what I know.
Reader: They have a place, but as the WORLD championships, hummm. Ironman is still so much more appealing. Why race in a never-ending loop? No spectators, in a parking lot? And not going to replace 70.3 WC or Kona
Reader: Well, I think that ... the business model isn't sustainable. But what do I know? Long-distance triathlon seems like a middle-income sport (i.e. a top-tier pro has a middle-professional income) but based on a huge pyramid of mass (ok, not so mass, but 1000+ per race) participation. Ironman, Challenge seem to know/accept that. Does pro racing actually make for compelling TV? Dunno. It just seems a dubious business model aggravated by poor execution.
Reader: Hoping they clean up the issues and we have a really exciting season of racing to watch. Super to see if the WTCS and T100 merger will be good. I’m thinking it might make it easier for me to follow both series this way.
Reader: I am still waiting to see a REAL AG Long Distance World Championship with national teams (as the WT LD World Champ. of the past). Is it for 2027?
LATEST EDITIONS
Waugh, Wilde crowned champions in Qatar. And vitamin C to keep you healthy!
Yee shocks with marathon magic. Plus: Why women need carbs!
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