World Triathlon Series 2026: Beth Potter finishes second in Sardinia as Alex Yee retires

Britain’s Beth Potter claimed her third podium spot of the season as she finished second in the World Triathlon Series event in Alghero, Sardinia as Olympic champion Alex Yee failed to finish the men’s race.

Yee was fifth on his triathlon return in Yokohama two weeks ago after focusing on marathon running in 2025.

The 28-year-old Olympic champion, who did well to avoid a couple of crashes in the bike phase, started the run a minute and a half back on the leading pack, headed by Alessio Crociani of Italy, and struggled to make any further impact.

With the heat searing and the gap continuing to grow, Yee stopped running and started to walk before eventually retiring after the first of the four 2.5km laps.

Portugal’s Vasco Vilaca went on to claim his second win of the season in one hour 45.16 seconds ahead of Brazil’s Miguel Hidalgo (1:45.35), with Vilaca’s compatriot Ricardo Batista third (1:45.45).

Potter, who claimed bronze in Paris, won her season opener in Samarkand, Uzbekistan and was second in Yokohama.

But her hopes of victory in the first race of the Los Angeles Olympics qualification window were ended by a late kick from France’s Olympic champion Cassandre Beaugrand.

Beaugrand finished in 1:53.49 for her third consecutive victory on the Italian island, with Potter four seconds behind and Lisa Tertsch of Germany third, a further five seconds back.

“The start of the season has gone better than I hoped and I’m pleased to back up my two results,” said Potter.

“I knew I would be strong over 10k, maybe not have the kick at the end, but I hung tough and I’m happy with second today.”

Georgia Taylor-Brown was sixth after dropping back off the lead group early in the run as she built on last week’s first T100 win.