In an innovative change of structure, the ITU Triathlon World Championships will now consist of a series of events as opposed to a single day event. In 2009 the new format will consist of six World Championship events plus a Grand Final creating a very exclusive high-quality global series. In 2010 the series will be expanded to a maximum of eight events in total. The new series will begin in March next year, with events to take place on a monthly basis until September, except in summer Olympic years when the Grand Final will be moved to October or November.

The International Triathlon Union will collaborate with Lagardre Sports, the sports division of French media giant Lagardre to create and deliver the exciting new series. Paul Coleman, ITU Managing Director of the World Championship Series and architect of the deal with Lagardre Sports reveals that quot;this is a perfect marriage of two professional organisations with complementary skills and expertise. This combination will create a powerful platform to establish a top quality sports product that will completely transform triathlon at the top of the sport.