PTO European Open: Triathlon Legends, Rising Stars, and a $600k Prize Purse

This Saturday, the much-anticipated debut edition of the PTO European Open will take place in Ibiza. With one of the best female Pro fields in history, a face-off between two triathlon legends, and young guns challenging established stars, the event has caught the attention of the entire triathlon community. A $600k prize purse adds to the excitement and makes predictions difficult, promising an exhilarating race.

An expert panel has weighed in on the possible outcomes and key athletes to watch in both the Pro Men's and Pro Women's races. The Pro Men will kick off the action at 0815 local time at Figueretas Beach, followed by the Pro Women at 0945.

In the men's race, Jan Frodeno, the German legend, is a top pick. Despite having not finished a race in more than 20 months, Frodeno is still considered a favorite by many experts. Alistair Brownlee, Great Britain's double Olympic Champion, is another notable contender. Recently turning 35, Brownlee has shown that he still has the potential to dominate, with Craig Alexander picking him for the win. Danish powerhouse Magnus Ditlev has also been pegged as a strong contender placing him third.

The women's race showcases an impressive start list, with Ashleigh Gentle, Anne Haug, Chelsea Sodaro, and Lucy Charles-Barclay expected to make significant impacts. Ashleigh Gentle, undefeated in PTO races, is a favorite. Gentle will excel at this distance. Anne Haug, the 2019 Ironman World Champion, has demonstrated incredible form recently. Ironman World Champion Chelsea Sodaro  to perform well, with a big win for her this weekend. Lastly, Great Britain's Lucy Charles-Barclay, four times the runner-up at the Ironman World Championship and currently ranked #2 in the PTO, is a favorite, who can win the race.

With such a deep field of talent in both the men's and women's races, and little form to go on so early in the season, the PTO European Open promises to be a thrilling event. The race will be closely watched by fans and competitors alike, as the world's best triathletes vie for victory and a share of the $600k prize purse.