The margins could not have been finer when Tilda Månsson (SWE) emerged victorious in a photo finish against Noelia Juan (ESP) at the 2023 Tiszaujvaros World Cup. Entering this year’s race, though, the former World Junior champion may have to summon something even more dramatic if she is to prevail once again as she faces up against the current WTCS Series leader, Lisa Tertsch (GER).
With a smaller women’s field present this year, there will only be two semi-finals on Saturday and energy conservation ahead of Sunday’s finale will be key. Such has been Tertsch’s form of late, she enters as the clear favourite. Nevertheless, every ounce of energy saved ahead of Sunday’s final – which will be live on TriathlonLive from 15:45 (CEST) – could prove the difference for Månsson or someone else upsetting the odds.
Tertsch meets Månsson in semi-final 1
With a win at WTCS Abu Dhabi and a medal at WTCS Yokohama, Tertsch has reiterated her status as one of the best triathletes in the world. It is therefore little surprise that she will wear number 1. In years gone by, the World Cup circuit has proven a happy hunting ground for the German athlete, with her win at the 2023 Tangier World Cup standing out. Equally, with WTCS Hamburg coming a week after Tiszy, there may be a chance that Tertsch will not be fully rested or dialled in for this weekend’s double header, potentially opening the door for others.
Already this year, Månsson has logged her best ever WTCS finishes yet. As a result, the triple World Cup winner will be confident of starring in Tiszy again. She wears number 3 in the first semi-final, handing her the option to shadow Tertsch. Separating the pair on the start list is Ilaria Zane (ITA); the experienced Italian medalled at the Saidia World Cup this past weekend. Zane’s teammate Costanza Arpinelli, another recent World Cup medallist (from Samarkand), then wears number 4.
World Cup medallists Lea Coninx (FRA) and Jessica Fullagar (GBR), who coincidentally both medalled in Samarkand (in 2024 and 2023, respectively), add to the firepower of the first heat. Likewise, talents like Maria López Faraudo (MEX), the 2nd place finisher at the Americas Championships, and Manami Hayashi (JPN), who has been dominant on the Asian circuit and tackles a first World Cup of year after placing 25th on her WTCS debut in Yokohama, could be names to watch when the final comes around. Finally, keep an eye on Carina Reicht (AUT). She is in great form following back-to-back Europe Cup wins and broke the Austrian 5km record earlier this year.
Vermeylen the proven quantity in semi-final 2
Jolien Vermeylen (BEL), a World Cup winner and the 3rd place finisher in Tiszaujvaros in 2023, enters as the number 1 seed in the second semi-final. Over the past few years, Vermeylen has developed to the point that her making the final (mishap aside) should be a formality. Her task will be to avoid burning any unnecessary energy in the semi-final before taking on the likes of Tertsch and Månsson.
Coming out on top in the second heat is not a given, though. One dark horse to watch will be Tilly Anema (GBR). The Brit looked set to win this year’s Samarkand World Cup before unfortunately crashing on the bike. She rallied to take 5th place in a demonstration of her mental fortitude, and her 2025 form definitely marks her out as dangerous. Another Brit, Sophie Alden, will start too in semi-final 2 as she looks to build back to her World Cup medal-winning form following injury.
Momentum is also on the side of both Sara Guerrero Manso (ESP), the bronze medallist at May’s Chengdu World Cup, and Italy’s Beatrice Mallozzi, the recent 4th place finisher at the Huatulco World Cup. With 2023 World U23 champion Selina Klamt (GER) and World U23 Winter Triathlon champion Zuzana Michalickova (SVK) starting the second semi-final, the race to qualify for Sunday could get spicy.