Earlier this month, FETRI (Federación Española de Triatlón) confirmed the launch of a new circuit of tri races under the World Triathlon Promaster (WTP) series banner. The expansion into race organisation by the national governing body is expected to shake up the diverse number of tri races in Spain. Meanwhile, sources indicate that an international expansion of WTP could also be in the pipeline.
With its first event in Banyoles (Girona) on 4-5 May 2013, the WTP circuit aims to make triathlon participation possible to all athletes, from amateurs (Agemaster) to professionals (Promaster), and first-time triathletes (WTP Start) also included. The former two categories – Agemaster and Promaster – are Olympic distance events, whereas WTP Start is a Sprint distance format.
Where WTP sets itself apart from the rest of triathlon races available in Spain is in the official support of FETRI. The Spanish Triathlon Federation promotes the events; and a notable prize pot will be available for race winners.
It is understood that each WTP race in Spain will pay out a minimum of €25,000 (US$33,750) – with a total sum of €550,000 earmarked for the Spanish races on the circuit. WTP will also distribute a sum of €60,000 (US$80,000) among the top 10 individual triathletes and first 5 clubs in the 2013 WTP Ranking.
Working with FETRI, race organiser B Dream, is on board as the organizer of World Triathlon Promaster (WTP).
Scaling up WTP globally?
B Dream is an international sports event organizer specialized in the promotion of Olympic-distance triathlons. The Alicante, Spain, based company also reportedly holds international rights to assist ITU in staging the ITU World Cup in 2014-2016. B Dream is also understood to hold worldwide exclusive merchandising rights to the ITU World Cup in 2013-2020.
In addition to the current WTP roll-out in Spain, an international expansion is to be expected. Reports indicate a potential roll-out of WTP in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, the USA, Italy and the UK.
Reaffirming a close working relationship between B Dream and ITU, the WTP circuit is set to comprise 11 international events, among which:
- 1 qualifying race to the ITU World Triathlon Series (ITU World Triathlon Madrid)
- 3 ITU World Cup affiliated races (Palamós, Alicante, Río De Janeiro)
- 4 national WTP International Open events (Spain, Portugal, Brazil and Uruguay)
- 3 qualifying races to the ETU European Cup (ETU European Cup (Cádiz) and ETU European Cup Premium (Banyoles, Seville)).
It is understood that, when taking place on the same weekend, the WTP event would be aligned with the associated ITU WTS, ITU World Cup or ETU European Cup events – typically taking place on the day before the main ITU/ETU action gets under way.
New beginnings in Spain
In Spain this year, the Campeonato de España de Triatlón Olímpico (Olympic Triathlon Spain Championship) and two more World Triathlon Promaster events complete the WTP circuit. This ends with a big bang with ‘El Reto Final’ (The Last Challenge) in Cabo de Gata (Andalusia) on 26-27 October.
Upcoming World Triathlon Promaster (WTP) races in Spain:
- Banyoles: May 4-5 (registrations are open)
- Madrid: June 1-2 (registrations are open)
- Lisbon: June 22-23
- Palamós: July 13-14
- Gijón: July 27-28
- Porto: August 17-18
- Murcia: September 7-8
- Alicante: September 28-29
- Cádiz: October 12-13
- Seville: October 19-20
- El Reto Final (Cabo de Gata): October 26-27.
www.bdream.es
www.triatlon.org
