Among the high-profile additions to the start lists at the upcoming WTCS Hamburg, two that stand out are the 2019 world champion, Katie Zaferes, and the reigning world U23 champion, Connor Bentley.
On a similar note, Tim Hellwig, the winner of the event in 2021, is now also due to race.
One of the biggest changes is that Zaferes has replaced her US teammate, Erica Ackerlund. Zaferes finished 12th at WTCS Cagliari in a statement performance and has moved into 29th place in the overall Series standings. With only two WTCS results to her name, she has plenty of scope to move up the rankings, not least given that the bulk of points come from her Cagliari score.
After her wins at the Americas Cup races in St. Peters and Punta Cana, it is clear that Zaferes is on her way back to top form. With a similar showing to her day in Sardinia, Zaferes could move into the top-20 of the Series. By the end of the season, she could even be back inside the top-10.
If Zaferes stands as a world champion of the past, Tilda Månsson may well represent the future. The reigning World Junior champion has been added to the start list and will be making her second WTCS start of the season.
She did not have the best day at WTCS Cagliari and was eventually lapped out of the race. Over the Super Sprint distance, though, she should not be as vulnerable on the bike.
Moreover she will likely be able to capitalise on her outstanding running ability. Considering that Månsson recently broke the Swedish Junior 5000m record (clocking a time of 15:46.58), she should have the speed to trouble plenty of her Senior rivals on the run.
On the note of youth, Anja Weber of Switzerland is another addition to the start list. The 2019 Swiss Junior champion will be making her WTCS debut. Although it may be a little late for her to push for Olympic qualification next year (but not impossible), Weber could be an important athlete for the country in the next Olympic cycle.
There have been wholesale changes to the Belgian team. Claire Michel and Valerie Barthelemy have dropped out of Hamburg while their compatriot Jolien Vermeylen will instead be racing. Vermeylen has a shot at qualifying for the 2024 Belgian Olympic team and to do so will need to maximise opportunities such as Hamburg.
Lizeth Rueda Santos will be the only Mexican woman due to start after she was added to the start list. Lisa Perterer of Austria and Carlotta Missaglia of Italy were two other notable inclusions.
On the men’s side, Bentley and Hellwig are two of the most prominent new faces.
Bentley will be making his WTCS debut and could be the next big name in the British men’s team. With back-to-back wins at the European Cups Caorle and Olsztyn, he is unbeaten internationally this year. Indeed, if you account for his World U23 Championships win in November, he is on a three race winning streak and last lost in October.
WTCS Hamburg will naturally represent a major step up in level and another win should not be expected. Even a medal on debut is exceedingly rare. Perhaps on that front he can take inspiration from his training partner, Alex Yee. Yee won a silver medal at WTCS Abu Dhabi in 2019 on his Series debut. Maybe his success will rub off on his fellow Loughborough athlete.
As one Brit joins the start list, another departs. After enjoying success in Hamburg over the years, Jonathan Brownlee will not be racing.
Meanwhile, Hellwig will be looking to repeat his prior success. Since his win in Hamburg in 2021, he has not quite reattained the same highs. His victory was no flash in the pan, though, and came alongside a silver medal at the World U23 Championships that year. As with many athletes, Hellwig is simply finding his form at the top level.
The German athlete has recently overcome a bout of COVID and so it remains to be seen what kind of form the 2021 winner is in. That should be a little clearer after he races at WTCS Montreal this weekend.
From the Australian team, Oscar Dart is out of the race. He was originally slated to make his WTCS debut but that has been put on ice for now. In his place, Callum Mcclusky will be stepping onto the start line.
Gustav Iden is another notable name to have been included and continues his perfect attendace record at each race in this year’s Series.
On the opposite end of the scale, one athlete to drop out is Sergio Baxter Cabrera of Spain. The winner of last year’s Pontevedra World Cup had some time out at the start of the season and is yet to start internationally in 2023.
