The International Triathlon Union has added four events to the 2014 World Cup calendar, bringing the total confirmed for next year to nine.
The new events are: Jiayuguan, China; Alanya, Turkey; Cozumel, Mexico; and Tongyeong, South Korea.
The ITU still expects to add one more World Cup race in Europe to the 2014 calendar, as well as two more in the Americas.
The 2014 schedule of races confirmed to date is:
March 15-16: Mooloolaba, Australia
March 22-23: New Plymouth, New Zealand
May 10-11: Chengdu, China
June 14-15: Huatulco, Mexico
July 26-27: Jiayuguan, China
August 9-10: Tiszaujvaros, Hungary
September 27-28: Alanya, Turkey
October 4-5: Cozumel, Mexico
November 1-2: Tongyeong, South Korea
The ITU adds that the Japanese city of Ishigaki will not be featuring next year, as the city is reportedly undergoing extensive redevelopment work, but may feature again in future seasons.
Antonio Fernandez Arimany, the new Director General of the ITU, told 220 Triathlon last week that there is "huge potential" for the sport of triathlon in Asia, and that China is a large part of these development plans – more here.
For details on all 2014 World Cup races, head to www.triathlon.org/events.
(Photo: Larry Rosa/ITU)