The Unfunded Triathlon Podcast

This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire After a month between recordings, Lockie and Lleyton catch up from opposite sides of the world as Lleyton wraps up his European racing block while Lockie continues his return from injury. The boys discuss life in Font-Romeu, training alongside many of the world's best triathletes, and their plans for upcoming races in Ireland and Tunisia. They also reveal their hopes of covering the 70.3 World Championships on location before diving into a recap of the recent South American World Cups, highlighting Dylan McCullough's dominant breakaway performances, Toby Powers' breakthrough World Cup podium, and the amusing story of Mitch Kolkman accidentally racing in Jordan Ruck's tri suit. The conversation then shifts to the WTCS Weihai race, where standout performances from Cal Kaminski and Brendan Copeland contrasted with disappointing days for Matt Hauser and Luke Willian. Finally, the hosts break down the rapidly changing World Triathlon Championship standings, discussing Vasco Vilaca's growing advantage, Cassandra Beaugrand's commanding lead in the women's series, and what still needs to happen before the World Championship Finals in Pontevedra.

This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire . The boys kick off with stories from training, birthday celebrations, and a hilarious travel nightmare after a fellow triathlete almost missed his flight to Europe. They then discuss the surprisingly low profile of the Commonwealth Games before breaking down the newly announced 2027 World Triathlon calendar, including the rebranded T50 World Tour, new venues, and questions surrounding the championship format and points system. Attention then turns to the London World Triathlon Championship Series race, where Matt Hauser and Cassandre Beaugrand continued their incredible dominance with another commanding victory. Lockie and Lleyton analyse Hauser's remarkable consistency, Beaugrand's control of the women's field, the current World Series standings, key crashes involving Braden Mercer and Tilly Anema, and what it all means heading towards the season finale. The episode wraps up with previews and podium predictions for the Rio World Cup, discussing the athletes to watch and whether anyone can challenge the established favourites.

This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire. Lockie and Lleyton return for another Freaky Friday episode, catching up on training, Leighton’s upcoming six-week European racing block, and Lockie’s return to full training after injury. They also discuss some of the latest innovations in triathlon, including the unusual hydrodynamic swim cap attachment that’s starting to appear in elite racing. The boys break down all the action from the World Triathlon World Cup in Edmonton, including Solomon Okrafo-Smart’s breakthrough victory, Tyler Mislawchuk and Reese Vannerson’s thrilling sprint finish, Taylor Knibb’s dominant bike leg, and Australia’s mixed relay performance. They also give their thoughts on the current state of World Cup commentary and debate whether mixed relays are as exciting outside of major championship events. Looking ahead to WTCS London, they preview the stacked men’s and women’s fields, discuss Matt Hauser’s incredible season, Alex Yee’s homecoming, the rise of Calum McClusky, and why Cassandra Beaugrand remains the woman to beat. The episode wraps up with podium predictions and a discussion about which iconic cities around the world should host future World Triathlon races, including Sydney, New York and Barcelona.

This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire. After a week away from the studio, Lockie and Lleyton return to break down one of the biggest weekends on the triathlon calendar. The boys dive into Matt Hauser’s incredible third consecutive Hamburg World Triathlon Championship Series victory, analyse the standout performances from the men’s and women’s races, and discuss who is shaping up as the biggest threat for the remainder of the WTCS season. They also unpack the Mixed Relay World Championships, where France secured the first relay qualification spot for the LA 2028 Olympic Games, while discussing the surprise performances from Hungary, Australia’s unfortunate withdrawal, and the selection decisions that left a few eyebrows raised. Away from triathlon, the conversation drifts into Conor McGregor’s disappointing return, football World Cup fever, the Tour de France, Facebook nostalgia, influencer culture, and why Hamburg should never get rid of its iconic beer steins.

This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire. Lockie and Lleyton return for a relaxed catch-up episode as they discuss a quieter period in the triathlon calendar before diving into the biggest talking points from around the sport. The boys recap the Tiszaujvaros World Cup, where Csongor Lehmann continued his remarkable dominance on home soil and Fanni Szalai claimed another breakthrough victory for Hungary, while Taylor Knibb returned to World Cup racing with a strong performance. They also unpack the viral Louis Vuitton runway bike, debate the growing influence of Chinese bike manufacturers in professional triathlon, and discuss whether premium bike prices are becoming impossible to justify for aspiring athletes. Looking ahead, the focus shifts to the Hamburg World Triathlon Championship Series and Mixed Relay World Championships. Lockie and Lleyton break down the key contenders, debate whether Matt Hauser can continue his winning streak, discuss Hayden Wilde’s return to short course racing, predict the individual podiums, and give their picks for the relay world title as nations begin the road to Olympic qualification.

This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire. In this special episode of the Unfunded Triathlon Podcast, Lockie and Lleyton sit down with World Triathlon President Antonio Arimany for an in-depth conversation about the biggest changes shaping the future of the sport. Antonio explains how World Triathlon achieved its historic A1 governance classification, why transparency and athlete-first decision making have become key priorities, and the vision behind the new partnership between World Triathlon and the PTO. He breaks down the creation of the Triathlon World Tour, the introduction of the T50 and T100 World Championships under one commercial structure, increased prize money, the future race calendar, and the long-term goal of making triathlon a truly global spectator sport. The conversation also explores broadcast accessibility, athlete pathways, paratriathlon development, the growing relationship with HYROX, ambitions for new Olympic events ahead of Brisbane 2032, and the opportunities that lie ahead for both elite athletes and age-group competitors.

This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire. Lockie and Lleyton return after an unexpected week off and reveal the painful reason behind the break: forgetting to hit record during what was meant to be one of the biggest interviews in Unfunded Podcast history with the President of World Triathlon. The boys then dive into the latest World Triathlon Championship Series action, discussing Vasco Vilaça’s incredible form, Dorian Coninx’s return to the top step, Matt Hauser’s absence, Alex Yee’s difficult start to the season, and the growing concerns around motorbike positioning and its influence on race outcomes. They also unpack the French dominance across the men’s, women’s and mixed relay events, analyse Australia’s impressive relay performance, and debate the tactics unfolding in both championship races. To finish, Lockie and Lleyton preview the upcoming Tiszaujvaros World Cup, discuss Simon Lehmann’s remarkable quest for a sixth consecutive victory at the event, break down the key contenders in both elite fields, and share their podium predictions for one of the most unique races on the triathlon calendar.

This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire. Lockie and Lleyton return for Episode 50 after their trip to Japan, sharing stories from their post-race adventures in Nara and Kyoto before unpacking the wild train station incident that nearly saw them hauled in by Japanese police over an $8 ticket discrepancy. The boys then dive into the biggest talking point in triathlon: the drama from Alghero. They break down the growing tensions surrounding Lisa Tertsch, the controversial aid-station bottle incident involving Jeanne Lehair, and whether moments like these are actually good for the sport. They also recap the women’s race, where Cassandre Beaugrand stormed back to victory ahead of Beth Potter and Tertsch. On the men’s side, they discuss the carnage that unfolded after a series of crashes and DNFs took out many of the favourites, leaving Vasco Vilaça and Miguel Hidalgo to capitalise. The conversation turns to how the result reshapes the season and adds pressure to athletes chasing World Series points early in the Olympic cycle. To finish, Lockie and Lleyton preview the upcoming World Cup in Mexico, discuss the challenging travel schedule facing many athletes, highlight Jordan Rick’s World Cup debut, and make their podium predictions for both the men’s and women’s races.

This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire Lockie and Lleyton return for S2 EP14 (EP49) ahead of a huge race week trip to Japan, before diving into one of the biggest WTCS previews of the season at Alghero. The boys unpack the fallout from the Enhanced Games, including James Magnussen’s return, the underwhelming world record attempts, and the reactions from Olympic swimmers like Cam McEvoy. They also discuss the current state of SuperTri and whether the once-exciting format is slowly fading away. The episode then shifts into triathlon racing, including Dylan McCullough’s dominant comeback performance after 18 months out injured, and a full breakdown of the stacked WTCS Alghero start lists. Lockie and Lleyton debate whether the men’s race will stay together or explode into a breakaway, with Alex Yee, Matt Hauser, Hayden Wilde, Miguel Hidalgo and others all in contention. On the women’s side, the focus turns to Cassandra Beaugrand’s return, Beth Potter’s form, and how the Olympic cycle is already bringing the sport’s biggest stars back together.

This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire Lockie and Lleyton break down all the action from Yokohama, including Matt Hauser’s dominant breakaway win and Australia’s impressive depth with Luke Willian and Brayden Mercer featuring in the front group. The boys discuss how Hauser has become the athlete everyone is now chasing, why their race predictions completely missed the mark again, and what Alex Yee, Hayden Wilde, and the rest of the field need to do to respond. On the women’s side, they dive into Tilda Månsson’s breakout WTCS victory over Beth Potter, debate Potter’s post-race reaction, and discuss whether Månsson has officially arrived as a long-term contender. There’s also discussion around Gwen Jorgensen’s comeback at 40 years old, the rise of the next generation of European athletes, and how Olympic qualification battles are already beginning to heat up for LA 2028 and beyond. Outside of racing, the boys unpack the bizarre reality of the Enhanced Games, James Magnussen’s transformation, and whether the entire concept is really just a giant pharmaceutical publicity stunt.

Brought to you by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire. Lockie and Lleyton break down all the action from the Chengdu World Cup, including Luke Willian’s win, Laura Lindemann’s comeback victory, and the growing concern around just how fast World Cup racing has become. The boys dive into Australia’s mixed team relay performance, the increasing importance of relay strategy for Olympic qualification, and why Great Britain’s depth is becoming scary for the rest of the world. They also preview WTCS Yokohama, discussing the highly anticipated return of Alex Yee to triathlon racing against Matt Hauser and Miguel Hidalgo, plus their podium predictions for both elite races. The episode also covers Australian debuts for Bradley Course and Rachel Hill, Japan race experiences, relay tactics, and some controversial discussion surrounding motorbike interference and doping in triathlon.

This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire Lockie and Lleyton return for Season 2 Episode 11 to unpack a huge week in triathlon, headlined by Lockie’s devastating grade three sacral stress reaction diagnosis that sidelines him for most of the 2026 season. The boys dive deep into the mental and physical toll of bone stress injuries, how the injury developed, the recovery timeline, and the challenges athletes face when their entire season is suddenly stripped away. They also discuss the importance of having purpose outside triathlon, balancing elite sport with business ventures, and why so many athletes struggle mentally during long injury layoffs. The conversation then shifts to the Chengdu World Cup in China, where the boys preview the sprint-distance course, break down the men’s and women’s fields, and debate whether aggressive swim-bike groups can stay away. They discuss contenders including Luke Willian, Tyler Mislawchuk, Brayden Mercer, Max Stapley, Laura Lindemann, Kate Waugh, and rising Australian talent Aspen Anderson, while also sharing stories about racing in China, chaotic street food experiences, and the unique atmosphere of Chengdu racing.

This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire. Lockie and Lleyton break down a massive week in endurance sport, headlined by the historic sub-2-hour marathon at the London Marathon — a moment they believe will redefine human potential in running. They compare this milestone to what could be triathlon’s equivalent, debating when (or if) a sub-7-hour Ironman becomes reality. The boys also unpack a disappointing T100 Singapore race, questioning athlete buy-in, race dynamics, and whether the format is delivering on its promise. From there, they dive deep into World Triathlon racing, reviewing both the men’s and women’s events — including standout performances from Beth Potter, Vasco Vilaça, and Henry Graf, plus where they got their predictions wrong. They wrap with insights on emerging talent, race tactics, and what’s coming next on the calendar, including Chengdu World Cup. A mix of honest takes, race analysis, and classic unfunded banter.

This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire Lockie and Lleyton return after a hectic few weeks of racing and travel, unpacking a stark contrast between elite-level racing in China and a chaotic Oceania Championships at Runaway Bay. From world-class event execution to disorganized race briefings and last-minute rule changes, they dive into what’s going wrong—and why it matters for the sport. They break down their own performances, including a rollercoaster weekend featuring repechage drama, tactical mistakes, and a hard-earned podium. The conversation then shifts to the bigger picture: scheduling conflicts between the T100 and World Triathlon Series, and how overlapping events are diluting competition and audience attention. Looking ahead, the boys preview the season-opening World Triathlon Championship Series race in Samarkand. They analyze the course, conditions, and stacked fields, debating whether it will be a breakaway race or a pack-run showdown. Finally, they lock in their podium picks, dark horses, and bold predictions for both the men’s and women’s races.

This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire After a delayed start, Lockie and Lleyton are back to unpack a huge week in triathlon. Lleyton prepares for his long-awaited return to racing in China after 11 months out, reflecting on injury recovery, training progression, and the mental side of being sidelined. The boys dive into the growing depth of competition, highlighted by a stacked Gold Coast start list and what it says about the sport’s rapid growth in Oceania. They also break down the rising run standard in triathlon, reacting to standout performances like Cassandra Bogrand’s blistering 10K and what it means for the future of the sport. There’s discussion around World Triathlon’s controversial decision to allow Russian and Belarusian junior and U23 athletes to compete under their national flags, exploring both the political and athlete welfare implications. They also highlight a positive shift from Triathlon Australia, with para athletes now receiving prize money for podium performances, before analysing Matt Hauser’s disrupted start to the season and what his move towards T100 racing could mean long term. The episode wraps with insights into training philosophies, upcoming races, and the ever-evolving demands of elite triathlon performance.

Please Note: We had some audio issues with our microphones this time around so the backup audio was used. We apologise to your ears upfront but it's not really that bad though is it. This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire Lockie and Lleyton are back diving straight into one of the most controversial topics in triathlon right now — the release of Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) data and what it means for fairness in the sport. They break down how TUEs work, where the line between medical necessity and performance enhancement gets blurred, and debate whether athletes and federations should be publicly named for transparency. Alongside the heavy discussion, the boys recap a massive weekend of racing including T100 on the Gold Coast, Geelong’s unofficial world champs, and standout performances from athletes like John Reed and Hugo Milner. They explore how short course dominance is reshaping middle-distance racing and why run times are reaching another level. As always, there’s plenty of honest takes, a bit of goss, and some strong opinions on where the sport is heading — and what needs to change.

This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire. In this episode, Lockie and Lleyton dive into the realities of racing on the international triathlon circuit. The boys discuss some of the challenges athletes face competing at World Cups and international events, particularly in Asia, where travel logistics, race organisation, and cultural differences can sometimes create difficult race environments. They unpack frustrations around race standards, accountability for organisers, and how these issues can impact athletes competing on the world stage. They also break down the upcoming World Cup in Haikou, China, preview the start lists, and make predictions for both the men’s and women’s races. With a mix of analysis and classic Unfunded banter, the discussion covers athletes to watch, race dynamics, and how the course could shape the results. Along the way, the boys share personal experiences from international racing, including some of the unexpected challenges athletes encounter when competing overseas.

This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire. In this episode the boys sit down with one of the most respected athletes in world triathlon: Sam Dickinson . A Commonwealth Games mixed relay gold medalist and Olympic mixed relay bronze medalist, Sam has built a reputation not only for his results but also for the crucial team role he’s played within one of the sport’s most dominant federations. Sam joins Lockie and Lleyton on the Gold Coast to talk through his Olympic experience in Paris, the difference between competing at the COVID-era Tokyo Games versus the electric atmosphere in Paris, and what it’s like racing alongside athletes like Alex Yee during one of the most successful Olympic campaigns in triathlon history. They also dive into his recent move into longer racing formats, including his impressive debut win at Ironman 70.3 Italy and podium finishes on the T100 circuit. Sam explains how short-course racing has shaped his strengths and how those skills translate to middle-distance racing. From Olympic pressure and team dynamics to racing strategy and career evolution, this episode gives an inside look at elite triathlon from one of the sport’s most experienced competitors.

Brought to you by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire. Lockie returns straight from racing at the Napier Sprint Distance Championships with a full race recap — including racing Olympic medalist Hayden Wilde , the chaotic swim start, and the controversial podium situation. Then the boys dive into a bigger topic: why so many international triathletes are suddenly training on the Gold Coast. From heated 50m pools and open water access to cycling routes, running surfaces, and training culture — they break down what actually makes the perfect triathlon training environment.

This episode is sponsored by Official Beer Co. Produced by Podfire. Racing is officially back. With Napier kicking off the Oceania season, Lockie and Lleyton break down the course, the stacked start lists, and what it means to see names like Hayden Wilde back on the line. But before that, they dive deep into race day rituals — from process goals and psychological cues to rice pudding, black socks, same jocks since age ten, Red Bulls in transition, and even Fortnite before Junior Worlds. Lockie explains his headphones-in, don’t-talk-to-me race bubble, while Lleyton takes a more go-with-the-flow approach. The boys compare morning vs twilight racing, discuss how pros mentally prepare, and share some of the wildest superstitions sent in by listeners (and a couple of world-class triathletes). They wrap it up with a full Napier preview — course breakdown, wind factors, key contenders in both the men’s and women’s fields — plus a discussion on the increased World Series prize money in Abu Dhabi and what it means for the future of short course racing. Season’s back. Let’s go.