Macca's Predictions: Will Vincent Luis And Georgia Taylor-Brown Triumph In Munich?

Column by 4x World Champion Chris McCormack

After a thrilling first race of the Super League Triathlon 2021 Championship Series in London it’s all to play for heading to Munich.

Jess Learmonth and Hayden Wilde marked themselves out as the ones to beat with their victories at West India Quay, but with a new format in play and a week to think about tactics, the competition will be red hot at the Olympiapark.

The Equalizer format will see the athletes head off for an Individual Time Trial on the bike to decide a pursuit start for two rounds of non-stop swim-bike-run.

How will it go? Only a brave person would predict. And that’s why we have called in triathlon legend and Super League co-founder Chris McCormack to talk us through it all. Here’s what he thinks will happen:

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The great thing about the Equalizer is exactly that – the individual time trial start, in this case the bike, gives an advantage to the athletes that are strong in that discipline. Usually, the bike is one of those disciplines which is nullified with the drafting so it puts all those questions to rest.

How To Watch Super League Triathlon Munich

You need to look for those big bike stars like Hayden Wilde, Vincent Luis, Katie Zaferes and Jess Learmonth, and after London Georgia Taylor-Brown as well.

The pursuit start tends to bring things together and we haven’t had a bike TT start since Hamilton Island. It was men’s only and Jake Birtwhistle took it out on that climb so it will be interesting to see if he’s found that form.

Men’s: Macca’s view

Vincent Luis
Hayden Wilde
Marten Van Riel

It’s great to have Vincent Luis back. I think Hayden Wilde is the form athlete and he will love this format but Vincent Luis is one of those athletes who races himself into form. He’s come off, in his words, a disappointment at the Olympics but I think he will be flying. As an outlier, I will go Marten Van Riel, but I think Jonny Brownlee will be right up there again.

Women’s: Macca’s view

Georgia Taylor-Brown
Jess Learmonth
Katie Zaferes

This is really going to suit Jess Learmonth and Georgia Taylor-Brown. I go for GTB for the win because of watching her race in London. She looked fantastic on the bike. Jess is great on the bike and got the win in London so will be right up there. Katie will round off the podium, but I think she will really be challenging come Jersey.