The opening races of the 2024 Multisport World Championships in Townsville, Australia, begin tomorrow and the duathlon competitions will kick things off. The race begins with a two-lap 5km run, followed by a 20km bike ride with four laps along the beach, and concludes with a final 2.5km run lap that seems deceptively challenging.

The Australian home team has several candidates in the race hoping to start the championships with a gold medal, while there are significant competitors in the elite duathlon field, including the two reigning European champions.

Elite Women

Charlotte McShane (AUS) will take a slight detour from her usual triathlon course when the WTCS star tackles the first event of a packed Multisport World Championships schedule. Despite not making her country’s Olympic team, McShane still arrives in Townsville in good form, having taken an impressive win at the Oceania Super Sprint Championships three months ago. While duathlon is not her typical stomping ground, her extensive experience will no doubt stand her in good stead.

In terms of experience, the evergreen Ai Ueda (JPN) will also be in the hunt for medals. A multiple WTCS medallist during her illustrious international career, Ueda won the bronze medal in the corresponding race at the 2023 Multisport World Championships in Ibiza. Likewise, Louisa Marie Middleditch (SIG) will compete with the best bib number and won the African duathlon title in her last international appearance in April.

The name to keep an eye on, however, is Marion Legrand (FRA). The French athlete is the reigning European champion after delivering a masterful performance in Coimbra earlier this year, defending the title she won in 2023. The duathlon format benefits Legrand and she is likely to prove a formidable opponent in the women’s race.

Elite Men

In the men’s race, Emile Blondel Hermant (FRA) wears the number 1 after finishing 4th at the European Duathlon Championships in Coimbra earlier this year. The French athlete returned to the international stage after a lengthy absence at the Duathlon Long Distance World Championships last year, where he finished second that day. Now he is aiming for gold in the shorter format.

His compatriot Benjamin Choquert (FRA) will be a tough opponent. Choquert won the silver medal at the Duathlon World Championships last year. In the absence of defending champion Mario Mola, Choquert can be considered the favorite to win. Luke Bate (AUS) will probably fly the flag from the home team. The Australian athlete has already won two Asia Cup victories on the triathlon scene this year, in Subic Bay and Osaka, and is therefore in great shape.

As with the women’s race, the athlete to watch will be the European champion. Arnaud Dely (BEL) was outstanding when he won his continental title earlier this year. Last year he narrowly missed the podium in Ibiza at the Multisport World Championships, finishing fourth. This time he will be looking to improve. Should he show the same form as in Coimbra, he could shine in Townsville.

Follow all the duathlon action live on TriathlonLive from 14:50 (AEST), 06:50 (CEST) and 05:50 (BST) and stay up to date with the latest news from Townsville on all World Triathlon channels.