The 2025 season of the World Triathlon Series kicks off in Abu Dhabi
The starlist has been published

Starting next February 15 and 16, international triathlon lovers will have their eyes set directly on Abu Dhabi to welcome the first stop of the Triathlon World Series (WTCS) 2025.
A highly anticipated start that, for the first time in the history of the competition, will be tested so soon in the calendar. With a sprint distance format, The most outstanding men and women on the circuit will test their strength in one of the fastest and hottest scenarios of the year.
El Yas Marina Tour will once again host the elite of this sport, an environment where every second counts and where swimming, cycling and running take place at frenetic speed.
Below, we review who heads the list of registered players, the absences that are causing a stir and the new faces who will debut in the top category.
Abu Dhabi kicks off early
The upcoming competition in Abu Dhabi will mark the first of six regular races leading up to the grand finale.
The event is scheduled for four weeks from now and stands out for being one of the earliest in the history of the WTCS. In fact, it is the first time that it is being held in February, something unusual and which adds an element of uncertainty to the preparation of the triathletes.
Male competition
Among the main protagonists, the New Zealander Hayden Wilde will be the great reference in the men's event. With the Olympic silver in Paris under his belt, he arrives eager to make up for the 2023 season, when a puncture ruined his chances in his debut in that event.
Spain will have Antonio Serrat seoane y Roberto Sánchez Mantecón, both with experience on the podium of the Series, will lead the team together with two youngsters with enormous potential,
David Cantero del Campo y Alberto González GarcíaSpecial mention to González, who achieved the best Spanish result in a WTCS race last season (4th place in Weihai).
On the part of Brazil, Manoel Messias y Miguel Hidalgo are names to watch. Messias already knows what it's like to stand on the podium in Abu Dhabi, and his teammate has already medalled in WTC events last season.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom will field a quartet that highlights the exceptional running record of Hugo Milner, capable of setting paces that demand the most from its competitors. In addition, Ben Dijkstra y max-stapley They complement a block ready to surprise.
Australia, with Matthew Hauser At the helm, he is relying on the power of an athlete who has won WTCS sprint distance races for the past two years. Callum McClusky y Brandon Copeland complete the team.
As for the Portugal, Basque Vilaca returns with the endorsement of his podium in Abu Dhabi 2023. Alongside him, Ricardo Batista y Miguel Tiago Silva seek to consolidate their progress.
German will have to Jonas Schomburg as a moral leader, but attention is also focused on young people Henry Graff y Jan Diener, who face a generational change in the discipline.
Norway lands with a trio made up of Casper Stornes, Vetle Bergsvik Thorn y Sebastian wernersen, all with the potential to sneak into the fight for the top spots.
United States will Morgan Pearson, the brilliant winner of Yokohama in 2024 and who has just displayed an impressive 61:01 in the half marathon in Houston. At his side, John Reed will give additional presence to the North American team.
Moreover, French will only be represented by Yanis SeguínWhile Canada y Italy They will also have only one runner in their ranks: charles pack y Alessio Crocianirespectively.
The Irish James Edgar, who has climbed significantly in the world rankings in 2024, will also be on the starting line. And we cannot forget Henri Schoeman, Olympic medalist in Rio and champion in Abu Dhabi in past seasons.
Absences in the men's event
Not all of the season's figures will be present. The big absentee is Alex Yee, world and Olympic champion, who is focusing on the London Marathon. That is precisely why he ran the Valencia 10K as part of his preparation.
Next to him, the Frenchman Leo Bergere, another figure that debuts as a T100 Hot Shot this year, opts not to debut so early. Also, Dorian Coninx y Pierre Le Corre (France) or Tim hellwig (Germany) will not compete, leaving their teammates the chance to shine on their own.
Women thirsty for victory
In the women's category, attention is initially focused on the German team. Lisa Tertsch, current winner of the WTCS Weihai.
Accompanied by Laura Lindemann, winner of WTCS events and a key player in Germany's Olympic Mixed Relay gold, will be looking to retain Germany's lead in the opening event.
Germany also presents Annika Koch, a medallist in WTCS events, already Nina Eim, winner of World Cups. Also, Tanja Neubert completes the quartet of names with international experience.
Italy will have Bianca Seregni, Alice Betto, Ilaria Zane y Verena Steinhauser.
United States competes with three powerful names: Gwen Jorgensen, Olympic champion in 2016, Taylor Spivey y Erica Ackerlund.
Spivey, who finished on the podium in Abu Dhabi 2023, is the only woman with that credential returning to the event, so she could once again feature in the top spots. Jorgensen, with great experience and a very promising end to 2024, could make a stellar return to the top.
French will be represented by Leonie Periault, winner of the first event of the previous season in Yokohama, together with Sandra Dodet, who has gone through ups and downs but has a chance to surprise.
For Mexico, Rosa Maria Tapia Vidal hopes to transfer its good dynamic from last season, while Spain will have Miriam Casillas García as its main asset, with its sights set on repeating outstanding performances such as fifth place in the 2024 WTCS final.
Significant absences in the women's team
The list of absent runners is also notable. Cassandre BeaugrandOlympic champion in Paris will not be taking part in Abu Dhabi.
We will not see either Julie Derron neither to Beth Potter, completing the list of great Olympic figures who are not present.
Added to this is the decision of Emma lombi not to attend the event, after a brilliant 4th place in Paris and 3rd place overall in the previous season.
Georgia Taylor-Brown, an Olympic veteran and multiple WTCS medal winner, is out of the race. In addition, Sophie Coldwell She is absent due to her recent motherhood, opening the door for other British women to consolidate their position in the squad.
The countdown has begun and in a few weeks the question of who is leading the race for the world title will be cleared up.