Georgia Taylor-Brown on her 22-race ‘gap year’ – and being inspired by the bravery of Lucy Byram

Georgia Taylor-Brown didn’t know how 2025 looked at the start of the year as the most decorated female Olympic triathlete of all time deliberately set out to have a less intense year from a racing perspective.

While the likes of men’s Olympic champion Alex Yee turned his attention to the marathon before beginning the build to LA2028, GTB did plenty of cycling on both gravel and road and didn’t return to top-level triathlon until the second half of the year.

But since then she’s raced with a smile on her face and gradually worked her way onto the podium, rounding out the T100 season with second in the Grand Final in Qatar after a storming run.

And all this in a month which also saw her set the fastest-ever 70.3 time when winning in Bahrain.

‘I’ve learnt so much’

She was also fourth in the 70.3 Worlds so going forward the big question has to be, will she continue to race at middle-distance or will the focus return to short-course?

And that was the first thing TRI247’s Jenny Lucas-Hill asked soon after Georgia crossed the finish line in Qatar to which the reply in terms of middle distance was: “People ask me do you enjoy it and I don’t hate it – but I don’t love it. It’s long and it is hard – and for me racing is fast, ferocious and a bit chaotic.

“This is more like a mental game and I’m really not very good in my own headspace so it is hard.

“But it’s also been really fun because it’s something new and it’s almost like a completely different sport.

“I’ve learnt so much and I’m getting a little bit closer to the front every time which is exciting for me. I was running with Julie [Derron] here and I thought I’m just going to give it one push and see if I can gap her and I managed to do that but at the same time I have nothing to lose at all so it really doesn’t matter if I go and then I blow.”

The ‘gap year’

And in terms of the gap year which has turned into almost a race a week in the last few months, Georgia said: “I’m definitely a liar aren’t I? Saying I’m having a year off and then doing this many races – no one’s ever going to believe me again!”

She’s taken in four T100 races, notched wins in the Laguna Phuket Triathlon and IRONMAN 70.3 Bahrain, bagged a fourth place at the 70.3 Worlds and also featured in WTCS and Supertri among others. Her middle-distance exploits alone have seen her rise to 15th in the PTO world rankings.

And she added: “I didn’t know what this year looked like but this is my 22nd race and I’m now done for the year. I’m having three weeks off and going on holiday.”

So much support for Lucy Byram

But the last word was rightly reserved for her friend and fellow pro triathlete Lucy Byram who was bravely returning to racing for the first time since the tragic passing of her partner Sam O’Shea.

Georgia – and others – were there to welcome her across the finish line and Georgia told us: “It’s been emotional for Lucy especially. She did absolutely incredible. I don’t know how she did it, but she did and she held it together.

“She was amazing and we all just want to be there for her but she was so strong today and it’s inspiring.”