Beth Potter’s title hopes unravel as Lisa Tertsch seizes shock world crown in Wollongong

The final chapter of the 2025 World Triathlon Championship Series often throws up shocks, but surprises have come in the men’s event in recent years.

This time it was the women’s race that delivered the upset, and it was heartbreak for both Britain’s Beth Potter and France’s Cassandre Beaugrand – with both leading contenders unravelling spectacularly in the final 10km run.

First, France’s Beaugrand, the reigning Olympic and world champion, faltered and slipped off the pace before pulling out of the race. Then Britain’s Potter, who looked in prime position to reclaim the world title she won in 2023, saw her own hopes dashed when she uncharacteristically slowed, ultimately finishing 16th and needing medical assistance at the finish.

Into the vacuum strode Germany’s Lisa Tertsch, a mixed team relay gold medallist at last year’s Paris Olympics, who seized the opportunity and captured her first world title in dramatic fashion.

Meanwhile, in the men’s race, it was a more straightforward tale of dominance. Home favourite Matt Hauser delivered a composed, powerful display to secure his first senior world title on home soil after a season of supremacy.

What happened in the women’s race?

The women’s race exploded into action from the get-go. Beaugrand grabbed the initiative of the beach start to power through the choppy waters and drag a wake of athletes in her slipstream.

By the end of the first of two swim laps, GB’s Tilly Anema, on her WTCS debut, had taken over the lead, with Beaugrand still on her toes – and Tertsch tucked in as well.

With all five British women in the top 15 out of the water, Potter and team-mate Jess Fullagar helped to form a lead pack of seven on the bike that made the second transition together with around a minute’s lead on the chasers.

Into the 10km run, Emma Lombardi pushed the pace while Beaugrand looked quickly off-colour. By the start of the second lap, the Frenchwoman – typically one of the fastest runners in the sport – was 11 seconds down and slowing further.

Potter, meanwhile, couldn’t sustain her momentum either. On one of the downhill sections, she slipped behind the leaders to effectively end her bid for the title.

With both favourites off the pace, Tertsch, who won the first round of the series in Abu Dhabi, seized control. She reeled in Lombardi, absorbed pressure from Italian athlete Bianca Seregni, and then kicked clear to claim both the race win and the overall world title.

For the British women, Fullagar delivered a career-best result, finishing fifth, while Anema, on her WTCS debut, led out the swim and held her nerve for an impressive 11th place. Sian Rainsley finished one spot behind in 12th, and Olivia Mathias was 25th.

What happened in the men’s race?

The men’s final in Wollongong followed the rest of the 2025 script, with Hauser exerting his dominance. The Australian set the tone early, leading through the swim and into T1. From there, he helped drive a lead group of seven on the bike.

On the run, Hauser surged clear as others began to fade under the intensity and terrain, with Spain’s David Cantero Del Campo running up to second and Italy’s Alessio Crociani holding on for third.

Hauser’s win crowned a season he had largely dominated, and doing it in front of the home crowd in New South Wales added an extra layer of gloss to the achievement.

GB’s best performance came from former under-23 world champion Connor Bentley in 12th, with Harry Leleu two spots behind in 14th. Jack Willis finished 19th, Max Stapley 34th, and Ben Dijkstra dropped out on the run.

Another notable DNF was Kiwi Hayden Wilde, who was attempting to double up following his T100 victory the previous day.

WTCS Wollongong Grand Finale Results

Women

1. Lisa Tertsch (GER)
2. Bianca Seregni (ITA) +14sec
3. Emma Lombardi (FRA) +26
4. Leonie Periault (FRA) +31
5. Jess Fullagar (GBR) +38

Men

1. Matt Hauser (AUS)
2. David Cantero Del Campo (ESP) +33
3. Alessio Crociani (ITA) +40
4. Miguel Hidalgo +59
5. Vasco Vilaca +1:02

WTCS Final Overall Standings

Women

1. Lisa Tertsch (GER)
2. Leonie Periault (FRA)
3. Beth Potter (GBR)

Men

1. Matt Hauser (AUS)
2. Miguel Hidalgo (BRA)
3. Vasco Vilaca (POR)