World champion banners tough Xterra Legazpi cast

World champion Bradley Weiss of South Africa will pursue a third Philippine title while the women’s division, sans its defending champion, will be a wide-open contest as the premier off-road triathlon series Xterra race resumes on June 17 in Legazpi City after a one-year break.

Weiss, Xterra World winner last year and Xterra Legazpi titlist in 2015 and 2016, is in for a tougher course in the 1.5-kilometer swim-28K mountain bike-8K trail run.

Bermuda’s Flora Duffy, the 2016 women’s champion, won’t be around but the cast remains as tough with Austrian Carina Wasle heading the compact roster.

Weiss and Wasle are also coming off Xterra Danao wins last month.

New Zealand’s Sam Osborne and Kieran McPherson, who placed 2-3 in Danao, and 2016 Xterra Asia-Pacific titlist Ben Allen of Australia will lead Weiss’ challengers.

“I can’t wait to take on whoever decides to show up,” said Weiss. “It’s going to be fun and a memorable experience racing on Mt. Mayon, a very well-known volcano.”

Wasle, who has won 15 Xterra world tour races, also braces for a spirited charge by the likes of Penny Slater and Kristy Jennings of New Zealand and Leela Hancox of Australia, among others, in the event organized by Sunrise Events, Inc.