Challenge Salou–Costa Daurada returns to the Spanish seaside resort on Sunday, May 10, 2026, with a professional field featuring defending champions and several high–ranking international athletes.
The men’s race is set to feature a significant British presence, including defending champion Thomas Davis. While top results have eluded him in three starts earlier this year, such as Challenge Sir Bani–Yas, Thomas Davis has a strong history at the Salou event.
He will face competition from fellow British athletes Will Draper, Harry Palmer, and Jack Hutchens. All four are currently ranked within the top 100 of the international world rankings.
Will Draper, ranked 27th, had a successful 2025 season with victories at Challenge Mogán–Gran Canaria, Challenge Samarkand, and Challenge Almere–Amsterdam, where he secured the European title. Harry Palmer, currently ranked 38th, also had a productive 2025 season, including two podium finishes at IRONMAN events and a sixth–place finish at Challenge Family’s The Championship.
In the women’s field, home favourite Marta Sánchez is the highest–ranked athlete at 26th. Following a third–place finish in Texas during April 2026, she is expected to be a primary contender for the win.
Marta Sánchez will be challenged by defending champion Elisabetta Curridori. The Italian athlete, ranked 49th, recently prepared for the event with a victory at the Peniscola Infinitri in late April 2026, repeating her winning preparation from the previous season.
International competition also comes from Australian Milan Agnew, currently ranked 88th. She arrives in Spain following 11th–place finishes at IRONMAN 70.3 Valencia and IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong earlier this year.
Other athletes expected to contend for the podium include Maaike Vooren from the Netherlands, Agnieszka Gadomska of Poland, and Macarena Salazar of Chile.
Challenge Salou–Costa Daurada is part of the Challenge Family series of international triathlon events. The race consists of a 1.9km swim, a 90km bike leg, and a 21.1km run.
The professional men’s race is scheduled to start at 07:15 CEST on May 10, 2026, followed shortly by the professional women. Live race updates will be provided by the organiser throughout the day.
