TRIATHLON

Italy organizes ITU Triathlon World Cup for first time ever

By International Triathlon Union

With less than two weeks to go in the two-year Olympic qualification process, pressure is at an all-time high to cement spots for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. This Sunday, athletes will scramble for final precious points on the Italian island of Sardinia at the 2016 Cagliari ITU Triathlon World Cup over a sprint distance course. As a final critical qualifier, both the men's and women's start lists are stacked with athletes gearing up for Rio, as well as those still looking to book their tickets to Brazil.

Athletes will face sensory overload in the coastal city, first dipping into the sea for a one-lap 750m clockwise swim off a pontoon start. Next up is a tour of old town through its hilly and narrow streets that will require both high fitness and finely-tuned skills along the four-lap bike course. They’ll finish up with another up-close view of the sea with three run loops along the ocean.

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ABOUT THE RACE:
Cagliari marks the first time a World Cup race has ever been held in all of Italy over ITU's 27-year history. Cagliari is the largest city on the island of Sardinia.

SCHEDULE:
Elite Women
Sunday May 8 10:30am UTC/GMT +1 Click here for the time in your area
Elite Men
Sunday May 8 12:30pm UTC/GMT+1 Click here for the time in your area  

WEBSITES:
triathlon.org
www.wtcsardegna.com

START LISTS:
Click here for the women's start list
Click here for the men's start list

PRIZE MONEY:
$60,000 USD (equal for men & women)  

LIVE COVERAGE:
Follow all the events live through with timing and text updates, at triathlon.org/live and on twitter at @triathlonlive.

COURSE PROFILE:
Swim - 750mm - A one-lap 750m clockwise swim off a pontoon start
Bike - 20km - Next up is a tour of old town through its hilly and narrow streets for a four-lap bike course.
Run - 5km - Athletes finish up with another up-close view of the sea with three run loops along the ocean.