With that in mind, we thought it right to highlight the athletes we\u2019re particularly excited to watch over the next 12 months. You\u2019ll find our picks below, but we\u2019d love to know what yours are, so get in touch!<\/p>\n
- Our predictions for triathlon in 2022<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- PTO announces new races and huge prize pot<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
1. Vincent Luis (FRA)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
For two-time world triathlon champion Vincent Luis, the year-delay to the Olympics may well have cost him the crown as he rocked up in Tokyo carrying an injury.<\/p>\n
The viewing public was also denied a potential battle of the ages against the eventual medallists, Kristian Blummenfelt, Alex Yee and Hayden Wilde. Fingers crossed, we\u2019ll be treated to that spectacle this year on the WTCS circuit. Liz Barrett, deputy editor<\/em>.<\/p>\n
- New Vincent Luis documentary out now<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Vincent Luis hit by car at 70.3 Indian Wells, still finishes second<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
2. Katie Zaferes (USA)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
The same applies to my female athlete pick, who, despite taking a fantastic Olympic bronze<\/a><\/strong>, was not able to perform at her best thanks to injury and a turbulent start to the year following the death of her beloved father.<\/p>\n
Shame we won\u2019t see a re-match at the Commies against her fellow medallists Flora Duffy and Georgia Taylor-Brown, but, as with Luis, I\u2019m excited to see which 2022 WTCS Olympic-distance race start line will feature the trio. Liz Barrett, deputy editor<\/em>.<\/p>\n
3. Lucy Charles-Barclay<\/strong><\/h2>\n
I\u2019ll always have a soft spot for Lucy as I\u2019ve watched her career for years now and we\u2019ve been lucky enough to work with her on numerous 220<\/em> shoots.<\/p>\n
Her 70.3 world title wi<\/a><\/strong>n was a real highlight of 2021, but will 2022 be the year we see her take the full Ironman distance title? Helen Webster, editor<\/em>.<\/p>\n
- Lucy Charles-Barclay set for bumper payout as world number one<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Ironman training: 14 strength tips from Lucy Charles-Barclay<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
4. Sam Holness<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\""Autistic\"]( "\\"\"sam-holness-220-triathlon-photoshoot\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Credit: Dan Stubbings<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n Meeting Sam on our photoshoot last year was a real honour. With autism as his \u2018superpower\u2019 (his own words) we\u2019ve already seen his focussed and dedicated training get him to the 70.3 champs and he has some lofty goals for 2022, which I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll conquer. Helen Webster, editor.<\/em><\/p>\n
5. Beth Potter<\/strong><\/h2>\n
With a background in running and an unofficial 5km road record under her belt (14.41), Scot Beth Potter has been one to keep an eye on ever since she made the switch to triathlon. She had a muted start in Yokohama last year, but since then she\u2019s won two World Triathlon Cups and placed seventh at the World Triathlon race in Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s plenty of racing to come in 2022, with the World Series, Super League and the Commonwealth Games contributing to a packed schedule. Could this be her breakout year? Rob Slade, features editor.<\/em><\/p>\n
6. Kristian Blummenfelt<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Well, it\u2019s got to be, hasn\u2019t it? Kristian Blummenfelt tore through 2021 like a steam train and it shows no sign of stopping. Over the past 12 months he\u2019s won Olympic gold<\/a><\/strong> in Tokyo, claimed top spot in the World Triathlon Championship Series<\/a><\/strong> and recorded the fastest-ever time for an Ironman race<\/a><\/strong> (on his full-course debut!?).<\/p>\n
What\u2019s next for the Norwegian ace? Is he going to make a splash in the Ironman World Championship? And will we see him racing in the new PTO events<\/a><\/strong>, the World Series and Super League? The possibilities are endless, and that\u2019s before we\u2019ve even mentioned Sub7. Rob Slade, features editor.<\/em><\/p>\n
7. Sian Rainsley<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Okay, I\u2019m biased because I was mates with her dad at school, but with bronze in the European Championships in Valencia, 5th place at WTCS Hamburg and mixed relay gold at Kitzb\u00fchel in 2021, the future looks bright for the former youth Olympics silver medallist who defies Crohn\u2019s Disease to race as an elite. Martyn Brunt, columnist.<\/em><\/p>\n
8. Alex Yee<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\""Alex\"]( "\\"\"Super\\"")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Credit: Darren Wheeler \u2013 That Cameraman\/Super League Triathlon<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n Let\u2019s be honest, anyone who can run like that could afford to do the swim on his back and ride round the bike course on a Brompton. I\u2019ve never seen anyone run that fast who wasn\u2019t being chased by the police. Martyn Brunt, columnist.<\/em><\/p>\n
9. Sophie Coldwell<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Narrowly missing out on a spot on the 2022 Olympic team, Sophie Coldwell has seen some success in junior racing and will be looking to get more familiar with the podium on the professional field this season. As fifth in the world in 2021, we\u2019re excited to see what 2022 has in store for Sophie. Kate Milsom, staff writer.<\/em><\/p>\n
10. George Peasgood<\/strong><\/h2>\n
- Ironman training: 14 strength tips from Lucy Charles-Barclay<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
- Vincent Luis hit by car at 70.3 Indian Wells, still finishes second<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
- PTO announces new races and huge prize pot<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\""Autistic\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2022\/01\/sam-holness-220-triathlon-photoshoot-740f251.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C414"\" "\\"\"sam-holness-220-triathlon-photoshoot\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>![\""Alex\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2022\/01\/alex-yee-training-for-super-league-triathlon-723ef78.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C417"\" "\\"\"Super\\"")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>![\""Javier\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2022\/01\/javier-gomez-wins-ironman-70-3-cascais-portugal-f0a6087.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"IRONMAN\\"\/")
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