WTS Montreal: how the Brits stack up

“That’s opened up a window for someone else to come in and become world champion,” said Holland. “And I’m definitely working towards that being me. All I can do is go to these last two races in as good a shape as I possibly can, and I think I’ve put myself in a good position for that.”

Joining Holland on the start line is the full GB senior women’s squad (minus Non Stanford): Jess Learmonth (currently fifth in the rankings), Georgia Taylor-Brown (sixth), Jodie Stimpson (10th) and Sophie Coldwell (37th)

For Learmonth, 2018 has also proved a consistent year, with two top-five finishes on the World Series and silvers at the Gold Coast Commies and Glasgow European Champs.

“Things have come together well at the end of the season so I’m hoping to get a couple of good results in and finish as high up the Series rankings as I can,” said Learmonth pre-Montreal. “Obviously there’s a lot of travel involved, so managing that will be a big factor. I need a decent result in Montreal to give me a chance of being competitive overall in the Series, so that’s what I’m focusing on now.”

While Coldwell, 23, won’t be challenging for the Series win, several stand-out performances (most notably in Leeds where she led until halfway through the run) means she’ll be lining up on the Gold Coast in her first senior final.

“I’m feeling confident for Montréal, I’ve had a good block of training. I’ve not raced the WTS for a couple of months now, as I’ve been off on leave, so I’m excited to be racing back at that level. As far as goals, I’d like to swim better than I have been this year. It’s just getting that confidence back, so if I can have a good swim that’ll be really good.”

But while team tactics usually come into play at one-day competitions, such as the Olympics, the presence of such a strong GB women’s squad in the last two races does not mean there will be any role-playing.

“We’re not approaching these races in a team capacity,” said Holland. “No one’s playing a role for anyone else, and we haven’t done that all season. At the same time we do work together quite well and it’s always good to have a lot of Brits on the start line. We’re in such a strong position at the moment, especially with the girls, whichever race we go to we’re going to have a full start line and that’s great really.

“The girls are ruling the roost this year, but that’s a real testament to the team we’ve got and the way in which we encourage each other,” continued Holland. “We’ve done a great job of nurturing the talent coming through. And that’s a real testament to what British Triathlon have done and what the girls at the top over the years have managed to continue to nurture and cultivate. And hopefully that just keeps going.”