The Torremolinos European Cup changes to a duathlon for safety reasons
The 2026 Torremolinos European Triathlon Cup will finally be held as a duathlon after the swimming portion was cancelled due to water quality problems at Los Álamos Beach.
La Company The organizers have confirmed the change of format for safety reasons after receiving the latest results of water quality tests conducted in the bathing area. The competition, scheduled for this Saturday, April 25, will now be held in a different format. 2,5 km run, 20 km bike ride and a final 5 km run.
The decision affects one of the most important international events on the continental calendar in Spain, which will bring together elite and junior athletes in Torremolinos within the Europe Triathlon circuit.
Swimming is cancelled due to water quality
The change comes after the latest measurement taken in the Los Alamos Beach The results showed unsuitable values for swimming. According to information provided by the organizers, previous data had been favorable, but the latest test conducted after the weekend forced a review of the test format.
The priority, according to the official statement, has been to avoid any risk to the athletes. For this reason, the swimming segment has been cancelled and the event has been adapted to a sprint duathlon format.
The Torremolinos City Council has also decreed the Bathing prohibited at Los Álamos Beach As a preventative measure, following the release of the latest test results, the incident is believed to be related to a break in the sanitation infrastructure in Málaga, where repairs are still underway.
New competition format
With the change, the European Cup in Torremolinos will be held without swimming. The new format retains cycling and running, but completely alters the sporting nature of the event.
Run 12,5 km, Cycling 20 km, Run 25 km
This change could disrupt the expected balance among the favorites, especially those whose strengths lie in swimming. The start will become more explosive, and positioning in the first few meters of the run will be crucial for a good transition.
A decision made with the City Council
The change in format was made in agreement with the Torremolinos Town Hall, which actively monitors water quality through new analytical controls.
The measure comes in a particularly relevant week for the town of Malaga, which is once again hosting international competition after having been one of the key venues for world triathlon in recent years.
Torremolinos was already the scene of the 2024 World Triathlon Series Grand Final, an event that consolidated the Andalusian town as one of the highlights of the international calendar.
The competition continues this Saturday
Despite the format change, the competition remains on the calendar for Saturday, April 25. The event will continue to be part of the European Cup, albeit with a new competitive structure adapted to the current circumstances.
The organization will communicate the final technical details of the new format, transitions and starting procedures to the athletes before the competition.
The focus now shifts to how athletes will respond to a scenario different from what was anticipated. The European Cup in Torremolinos will go ahead, but under a format where health and safety take priority.
