The date of the event and the full World Series schedule is set to confirmed after the forthcoming ITU World Triathlon London, due to take place on May 30 and 31.

Leeds was put forward by British Triathlon as the UK's candidate city last month, following a bid to host the event led by Leeds City Council, with the backing of Sport Leeds, Welcome to Yorkshire and other key stakeholders.

A leg of the World Series has been held at London’s Hyde Park since 2009, except in 2012 when it was the Olympic venue, however, British Triathlon chose Leeds to take over hosting a British round for an initial three years.

The national governing body told insidethegames at the time that the creation of London’s cycling superhighway would prevent a leg being held in Hyde Park next year.

“We are thrilled that the ITU World Triathlon Series will continue in the UK," said Marisol Casado, ITU President.

"Leeds presented an extremely strong bid, which enjoyed great support from the city, the British Triathlon Federation, its athletes and the public, making it a natural choice to add to the World Triathlon Series."

Hosting the event is seen to be a major coup for Leeds, putting it alongside cities such as Abu Dhabi, Gold Coast, Cape Town and Yokohama that have staged World Series races already this year.

It also presents the opportunity for Leeds-based triathletes Alistair Brownlee and younger brother Jonathan, gold and bronze medallists respectively at London 2012, to compete on home turf in one of the final races before Rio 2016.

“It’s fantastic news that Leeds’ bid has been successful,” said Alistair Brownlee.

“I am sure the crowds will come out in force to see a major triathlon event in Leeds for the first time, and I’m sure it will be a brilliant event.”

Jonathan added: “Having an ITU World Triathlon Series event in Leeds is like a dream come true in many respects.

“To race at the highest level in the city where I grew up and have done all of my triathlon training is something that I’m already excited about.”

Other Leeds-based triathletes in line to compete are Vicky Holland, who claimed her first World Series win in Cape Town last month, as well as former ITU world champion, Non Stanford

The elite men’s and women’s races will take place over the Olympic distance, starting in Roundhay Park with a 1,500 metres swim and finishing in the heart of city after a 40 kilometres bike ride and 10km run.

Last July, Leeds hosted the opening of the Tour de France with 3.3 million people lining the two-day Grand Départ route in Yorkshire.

Earlier this month, the final stage of the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire ended in the city. 

“We have seen from events such as the Grand Départ and Tour de Yorkshire that Leeds has an outstanding pedigree in staging major international sporting events and we have every confidence that Yorkshire will embrace triathlon with the same enthusiasm," said Jon Ridgeon, British Triathlon director for major and national events.

Amateur triathletes will have the opportunity to swim, bike and run on the same course as the elite competitors in mass-participation races, with the build-up to the event supported by a range of cultural activities in the city. 

“We thank the ITU and British Triathlon for supporting us and entrusting us with one of their marquee events, and we look forward to rewarding that faith with a wonderful event which everyone can get involved with as a volunteer, spectator or by taking part in the mass-participation elements or the range of exciting cultural activities which will be revealed in the months to come,” added the leader of Leeds City Council, Keith Wakefield. 

UK Sport is working with British Triathlon, Leeds City Council and Lagardère, a French diversified media group, to take the event to Leeds as part of its National Lottery funded #EveryRoadtoRio campaign, which aims to increase British athletes' chances of qualifying for next year's Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

Prospective competitors are invited to register their interest by clicking here.


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