Newly crowned World Champions, the reigning Olympic gold medallist and a defending champion headline the elite field for this Sunday’s 42nd running of the world-famous Garmin Noosa Triathlon.
New World Champions Matthew Hauser and Richelle Hill, Paris 2024 Olympic Games gold medallist Cassandre Beaugrand and reigning Noosa Triathlon men’s champion Brayden Mercer will all race for the top step of the podium across a 1.5km swim, 40km ride and 10km run this Sunday 2 November.
Hauser claimed the biggest win of his career in Wollongong a fortnight ago, becoming the first Australian male to win a World Triathlon Series Title in 20 years, taking the World Championship title in a perfect season.
“It was really special to claim the title at home, I think just having those home crowds really did exceed my expectations and I think the course and the environment was just electric – and even having the PA system break on us and then the whole crowd ring out the Australian National Anthem without any backing track was really cool. It was something that’s going to be keeping me on a high for many weeks to come,” Hauser said.
“It was a big 12 months build up and then to be able to execute almost to perfection on the day was great. It was a real credit to my perseverance and consistency over the year, but also my ability to perform when the pressure was on and when it counted. I think also I’ve got a lot to thank for my support team, my coach Dan Atkins and the guys at the QIS and AusTriathlon for putting me in the best shape possible to execute the race.”
While Hauser comes into the Noosa Triathlon with plenty of momentum behind him, he knows he’s not going to have it all his own way on Sunday.
“I’m looking forward to trying to get back and try to knock my teammates off the podium. Obviously, Brayden Mercer winning it last year was great, I was actually able to watch that race and be on the sidelines and cheer him home,” Hauser said.
“There’s been a bit of intra-squad banter about the race, so it’ll be good to go up against the defending champ and try and give him a run for his money. I love the Noosa Tri weekend, it’s such a special weekend and I’ve only raced once before back in 2023 when Hayden Wilde beat me to it.
“I’m looking forward to try and get back and get my first win on the board there. Seeing Courtney Atkinson and Aaron Royle and Craig Walton and the likes of those names win titles and multiple titles in the past really does motivate me to write a bit of my own history there in Noosa,” he said.
Brayden Mercer announced himself onto the Australian triathlon scene in spectacular fashion last year, claiming his first Noosa Triathlon title, and the 21-year-old is looking forward to returning to the event this weekend.
“I’m extremely excited to be back racing at Noosa this year, it’s one of my favourite races and places in the world,” Mercer said.
“The win last year was so special because I had a lot of my family there supporting me, and winning in front of them is a memory I’ll cherish forever.
“Noosa is one of the biggest triathlons worldwide and one of the country’s premier sporting events. Achieving a big result here, in front of so many friends and family, is incredibly special,” he said.
“I’ve had a great time racing all over the globe, but racing at home is always that little bit more special. Finishing a great year in Noosa is going to be very exciting.”
There will be a host of athletes out to make sure that Hauser and Mercer don’t have it all their own way this weekend, including former Noosa Triathlon champions and Australian Olympic representatives, Luke Willian and Aaron Royle, and international names including Valentino Agnelli, Ben Dijkstra and Chase McQueen.
The women’s elite race is highlighted by reigning Olympic gold medallist Cassandre Beaugrand, who won triathlon gold at home in Paris last year.
Beaugrand will be making her Noosa Triathlon debut on Sunday and is looking forward to being a part of the world-famous event.
“I know so many of the best triathletes in history have won this race. Specifically on the women’s side, I know Ashleigh Gentle has pretty much dominated the last decade and before that Emma Snowsill and Emma Moffat won a few times each. All of those women I really look up to, so it would be a really nice feeling if I could join them as a winner here,” said Beaugrand.
“I really have no idea how this will go, and I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself, I’d like to have a great race but most of all I just want to enjoy this environment and have fun.”
While Hauser and Hill claimed world titles in Wollongong it was a race to forget for Beaugrand, who saw her World Championship hopes slip away when she failed to finish the race.
“After my disappointment in the WTCS Grand Final last weekend I’m very happy to be racing in Noosa and hopefully finishing on a better note,” she said.
“It’s been a tough year for me mentally since the Olympics last year. So, it’s nice to be at a race that’s more of a fun atmosphere and I guess less pressure than the normal race environments I’m used to.
“To be honest, I don’t have so many expectations in terms of the result for myself in Noosa. I’m typically racing on a road bike, and I’m just starting to figure out how to be comfortable in the TT position, it’s something very new to me, but also something that’s bringing a lot of excitement and curiosity to see how I feel in the race,” said Beaugrand. “I know it’s a competitive field and one of the biggest triathlons in the world, in Europe people talk about Noosa as the biggest weekend in triathlon, and since I’m already in Australia, I wanted to be able to say I raced here at least once in my career. I can’t wait to experience the entire event across the weekend and enjoy the atmosphere.”
Beaugrand will have a field of up-and-coming Australians to contest with on the course, including Queensland’s Richelle Hill who won the Under-23 World Championship in Wollongong in an incredible sprint finish.
Hill, who was second in Noosa last year, and third in 2023, claimed her World Championship title in the final few hundred metres and will be looking to bring that pace to the streets of Noosa on Sunday.
“Honestly, I’m really excited. This year I’ve missed a lot of opportunities to race due to injury, so any opportunity to race I find is such a privilege,” said Hill. “The win in Wollongong was my highest moment in this sport, the emotions that the race created for me and the crowd is something I will always cherish.”
Joining Hill on the start line will be fellow Australians Sophie Malowiecki, who was second in 2023, Tara Sosinski and Danielle De Francesco, along with Great Britain’s Jess Fullagar and Australia-based Dutch athlete Lotte Wilms.
The 2025 Garmin Noosa Triathlon elite race will be broadcast live and free on Sunday online at www.youtube.com/@ironmantriathlon
Noosa Triathlon is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland.
