In the women’s race, Kat Matthews (PTO World #4) is the highest-ranked starter. The Brit has had a spectacular year so far, coming second at the Ironman world champs in St. George and being the first woman to ever crack eight hours for the full distance at the Sub7Sub8 project. While she had an off day at the Collins Cup, 70.3 wins in Lanzarote and Swansea show she’s got the middle-distance goods too.

Lucy Charles-Barclay (PTO World #5) takes the next step in her comeback following her recent World Triathlon Long Distance Championship title. All eyes will be on the Brit in her first PTO Tour appearance and with the 2km swim, the Brit could do some real damage on the first leg. Don’t be surprised to see her hold that lead right to the finish either.

Ashleigh Gentle (PTO World #6) is coming off a big victory at the PTO Canadian Open and a strong match-winning performance at the Collins Cup. The Aussie seems to have found her niche at the 100km distance and is surely the athlete with the biggest target on her back in Dallas. If she’s anywhere near the front at the start of the run, she’ll likely bag the win here, too.

Taylor Knibb (PTO World #7) is another athlete on the comeback trail. With little racing since her win in Oceanside in April, the US athlete will have to work hard to command the field as she’s done in the past. That said, if she’s back to full fitness, Knibb could dominate here with a blistering bike and strong run.

Paula Findlay (PTO World #9) is an athlete in scintillating form this season. Happy and healthy, there are few who can match the Canadian, exemplified by her second place at the PTO Canadian Open – taking the pressure of a home-city race in her stride – and an emphatic match victory at the Collins Cup. Findlay has cemented her status as a star for the big occasions who could shine again at the US Open.

Holly Lawrence (PTO World #11) is a classy middle-distance specialist who possesses all the swim, bike and run power needed to fight for the win in Dallas. Sixth at the PTO Canadian Open and a match winner at the Collins Cup, the Brit looks fit, fast and ready for a top performance in Texas.

In a short space of time, Fenella Langridge (PTO World #13) has rocketed up the rankings by establishing herself as a fearless all-rounder, garnering great results across middle and long-distance races. Second at Challenge Roth in July but with a DNF at the PTO Canadian Open, if the Brit’s at her middle-distance best, she’s certainly a podium contender.

Jackie Hering (PTO World #15) is another middle-distance specialist lining up in Dallas. Having suffered a bout of Covid that stopped her from showing her best at the Collins Cup, the American will be looking to put in the powerful bike-run combo that has seen her take many a win.

A long-course specialist, Ruth Astle (PTO World #17) recently took her first middle-distance podium with second behind Kat Matthews at 70.3 Swansea and also clocked a top-five at 70.3 Elsinore. An uber biker if ever there were one, Astle could play a key role in pulling the race back together on two wheels.

Jocelyn McCauley (PTO World #18) is a long-distance weapon but that didn’t stop her from displaying a great performance over 100km at the Collins Cup – coming second to Holly Lawrence. A replication of her solid swim and rocketing bike split there could equate to a strong overall finish for the American on home soil.

Flora Duffy is a wildcard contender at the PTO US Open but with nine world titles and her Olympic win in Tokyo, no-one will be underestimating the Bermudian. Duffy didn’t excel over 100km at the Collins Cup but the lapped course in Dallas should be much better suited to this short-course legend’s skillset.