Beyond the Brownlee era: Leading Brit says short-course racing is tougher than ever

Is the current era of short-course racing better than the Brownlee era of a decade ago? As the World Triathlon Championship Series heads into the final round for 2025, Britain’s highest-ranked competitor, Max Stapley, certainly believes there’s more depth than ever.

“A lot of people like to say how Alistair would compete [today],” Stapley said as he prepared to line up in Wollongong on Sunday. “I still think he’d be towards the front, but the massive difference is that on any given day, anyone on the start list can be in the top 10.

“That’s something that hasn’t really existed before, and that’s what makes it difficult — because as soon as you slip, you’re gone.”

Two-time Olympic champion Brownlee moved on from short-course racing after failing to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. While Alex Yee has stepped up valiantly — with individual Olympic silver and gold — the south-east Londoner has limited his World Triathlon racing this season, competing just once on the French Riviera in August. He’s now set to tackle the Valencia Marathon at the start of December.

That means the focus from a British perspective for the final race of the year falls on Stapley, Ben Dijkstra, Connor Bentley, Jack Willis and Harry Leleu. Dijkstra, 20th in the standings and just one place behind Stapley, agrees that the standard continues to rise.

“I think a lot of guys have stepped up, whether that’s because they were gutted with their Olympic performances or it’s just the nature of the sport — people develop at different times,” he said.

“People sometimes consider the year after the Olympics to be a bit of a dip, but I think there’s been a shift in the dynamic and it’s exciting in a positive sense. You’ve got athletes who’ve had breakthrough performances this year, and I don’t think that momentum’s going to stop any time soon.”

Stapley believes the bike power required for the 40km leg is now close to WorldTour cycling level — and that the best runners could hold their own on the track.

“It’s testament to the density on the men’s side,” he added. “There are seven or eight guys who could run for their country: Alex, Hayden [Wilde, New Zealand], [David] Cantero [Spain], and Morgan [Pearson] and Reese [Vannerson] [both USA]. The list of guys who can break 13:20 for 5km goes on and on. So, don’t get bitter — get better.”

After strong early-season showings — Dijkstra was eighth in both Abu Dhabi and Yokohama, while Stapley was seventh in Hamburg — both men have struggled with illness and hope to be fully recovered for Sunday.

“It’s been project get-fit-quick,” Dijkstra said. “I’m looking to get through the race and give it everything. I just want to get stuck into the mix, and if I can crack a top 10 or 12, I’d be pretty content with that.”

“Ben and I have been in similar positions,” Stapley said. “I’ve been dragging an illness for the last month, which I’ve only just managed to shake off. I picked something up in Istanbul that left me with a bowel infection until two weeks ago.

“But I know I’ve got a whole year of training behind me, and if I can walk away feeling that I’ve given 100% and feel smashed in a good sense, that’d be a step in the right direction. Both of us have shown that, on our day, we’re among the top 10 guys.”

With defending world champion Yee absent, and Olympic silver medallist Wilde attempting an audacious double across WTCS and T100 racing, Australian Matt Hauser has grasped the nettle to lead the rankings with three victories, followed by Brazil’s Miguel Hidalgo and Portugal’s Vasco Vilaca.

“It’ll be exciting to have everyone back in the mix next year,” Dijkstra added. “But this racing doesn’t wait around for anyone. It’s been a solid year, and people like Hauser have taken it by the scruff of the neck and brought it to a new level.”

The elite men’s race starts at 5pm local time on Sunday 19 October (7am UK time), with the elite women three hours earlier at 2pm (4am UK time). All the action will be streamed live on TriathlonLive.TV