A last minute withdrawal has changed the complexion of the Lievin World Cup before it has even begun.
Taylor Spivey, who was due to wear number one at the French race, has pulled out of the event and no longer appears on the start list. As a double WTCS medallist last season, Spivey would likely have been in contention for the win this weekend. Moreover, she is currently deep in the hunt for a spot on the American Olympic team and a positive performance would have done her prospects no harm. Together, her ability and Olympic motive could have conspired to make her an early favourite.
One domestic rival that could benefit from Spivey’s absence is Gwen Jorgensen. The former Olympic champion is now one of two American women racing, alongside Gina Sereno, due to compete. Having won four World Cup races in 2023, Jorgensen will almost certainly be in the conversation for a medal in Lievin.
Most significantly, the indoor World Cup format (with a 150m swim, 3km bike and 1km run) will offer a perfect opportunity for her to showcase her Mixed Team Relay credentials to the American Olympic selectors.
In addition to Jorgensen, another beneficiary of Spivey’s absence is Georgia Taylor-Brown. Spivey was twice part of front packs that dropped Taylor-Brown in the WTCS in 2023. As such, her withdrawal could be a minor source of succour to the British athlete. Irrespective of Spivey, though, Taylor-Brown’s class cannot be understated and it should not be forgotten that she won WTCS Cagliari last year.
The British star has also proven her abilities over the shortest distances in triathlon. As well as being part of the reigning Olympic gold medal winning Mixed Team Relay, she won WTCS Montreal in 2022 over the Super Sprint distance.
Last week, Taylor-Brown won bronze at the Quarteira European Cup. Her form is therefore in solid shape at this stage in the year. The two women that beat her, Lisa Tertsch and Cassandre Beaugrand, will also be absent in Lievin.
Given her history over the shortened distances and the absence of key rivals, then, Taylor-Brown appears to be the favourite for the gold medal. In a similar vein to Spivey and Jorgensen, Taylor-Brown is also locked in a race to qualify for the Paris Olympics and a win would be a very helpful boost.
At the same time, recent WTCS medallists such as Leonie Periault, Laura Lindemann and Lena Meißner will offer stern opposition.
Of the trio, Lindemann is perhaps the most credentialed over the shorter format and could be the greatest threat. Anyone that saw her performances in the Mixed Team Relays in Hamburg and Paris last season will know that the German athlete can win in a sprint or in a solo break in such short events. One minor hesitation surrounding Lindemann, though, is that she has already qualified for Paris. She therefore may have less of an incentive than Taylor-Brown, Jorgensen and more to be at her sharpest this weekend.
Former world champion Vicky Holland is another threat after blasting a fantastic run split at the Hong Kong World Cup. Holland’s run should also gain further credit as she shouldered almost all of the work on the bike for her pack.
With World U23 champion Selina Klamt and World Cup medallist Marlene Gomez-Göggel also racing, there will be a number of further dangers to Taylor-Brown. The British star, though, will be confident of getting the job done.
TriStats Predictions
- Georgia Taylor-Brown
- Laura Lindemann
- Gwen Jorgensen
- Lena Meißner
- Vicky Holland
