The 28th XTERRA World Championship concluded on September 28, bringing together over 1,000 of the world’s best off-road triathletes from more than 50 countries in Molveno, Italy. Arthur Serrières (FRA) and Solenne Billouin (FRA) each secured their third consecutive World Championship titles, placing them among the greats in XTERRA history.
Set beneath the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Brenta Dolomites, the race began with a chilly start—10°C air temperature and 14°C water temperature in Lake Molveno. As the competition kicked off, the sun emerged, warming the atmosphere for the packed crowd of cheering fans and thousands of livestream viewers worldwide.
In the men’s race, Jens Roth (DEU) was the first to exit the 750-meter swim, clocking a time of 11:24. He was closely followed by Keller Norland (USA), who finished just 8.07 seconds later at 11:32. Jules Dumas (FRA) secured the third spot out of the water with a time of 11:41. A tight chase pack emerged shortly after, featuring Federico Spinazze (ITA) in fourth place at 11:42 while Felix Forissier (FRA) and Arthur Serrières (FRA) came out neck-and-neck at 11:44.
Sullivan Middaugh (USA) emerged in tenth place, 24.10 seconds behind Roth. Notably, Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen (DNK), considered one of the strongest contenders, exited the swim in 26th position, recording a time of 12:51, which put him 1 minute and 27 seconds behind the leader.
In the men’s race, the bike segment significantly reshaped the competition. At the end of the first 16K bike loop, Forissier surged into the lead, closely pursued by Serrières, who was just seven seconds behind. The rivalry between the two French athletes intensified as Sloth Nielsen climbed to third by the end of the first bike lap. Known as “The Overtaker,” Nielsen lived up to his nickname by overtaking 23 competitors, trailing Forissier by one minute and 17 seconds. Unfortunately, Sebastien Neef (DEU) experienced a crash past the 7K mark in a forested section of the course, bringing his race to an abrupt end. He received prompt medical attention and was assisted off the course. Sullivan Middaugh also fell off his bike at the 15K mark of the first loop down the cobblestone steps of Molveno’s historic village center, but he persevered and completed the race.
By the end of the segment, Forissier maintained his lead with a total time of 1:46:38, extending his advantage over Serrières, who was now 19 seconds behind at 1:46:57. Sloth Nielsen remained in third place with a time of 1:48:29, trailing the leader by one minute and 51 seconds. Chané continued in fourth at 1:50:03, while Josiah Middaugh (USA)—Sullivan’s father—advanced to fifth place with a time of 1:52:56, demonstrating his veteran experience and adding a compelling narrative to the race as he lined up with both his sons including Porter Middaugh (USA) who celebrated his 19th birthday during Thursday’s Short Track Race.
Entering the run segment of the men’s race, Forissier held a slender lead over fellow countryman Serrières, with just a 19-second gap separating them after the bike leg. However, the 10K trail run proved pivotal. Serrières showcased his exceptional running power, overtaking Forissier early in the run. He steadily increased his lead, ultimately crossing the finish line in 2:25:33, securing his third consecutive XTERRA World Championship title. He becomes the first man to ever accomplish the three-peat.
Forissier fought hard to keep pace but couldn’t close the gap, finishing second with a time of 2:26:49, 1 minute and 16 seconds behind Serrières. Sloth Nielsen maintained his third-place position throughout the run, completing the race in 2:30:11, trailing the leader by 4 minutes and 38 seconds.
Women’s race
In the women’s race, former four-time Olympian, Rachel Klamer (NLD), was the first to exit the 750-meter swim, recording a time of 12:19. She was followed by Aneta Grabmüller (CZE) in second place at 12:43, trailing by 24 seconds. Anna Zehnder (CHE) secured third position with a time of 13:36, over a minute behind the leader.
Women’s race
A closely-knit chase pack formed behind them, including Sandra Mairhofer (ITA) in fourth place at 13:36, Emma Ducreux (FRA) in fifth at 13:38, and Loanne Duvoisin (CHE) in sixth at 13:38. Solenne Billouin (FRA), the reigning two-time champion, emerged from the water in seventh place with a time of 13:47, approximately 1 minute and 28 seconds behind Klamer.
The bike segment saw significant shifts in the leaderboard. Billouin displayed exceptional biking skills, overtaking the competitors ahead of her to seize the lead by the end of the first bike loop, establishing a 30-second advantage over Duvoisin, who climbed from sixth after the swim to second place. Mairhofer advanced to third place while Alizée Paties (FRA) moved from eighth place after the swim to fourth, trailing the leader by 1 minute and 32 seconds. Grabmüller (CZE), who was second out of the water, held onto fifth place. Marta Menditto (ITA) and Ducreux rounded out the top seven, after the first bike lap, both approximately 5 minutes and 50 seconds behind the leader.
As the bike leg progressed, Billouin continued to extend her lead. By the end of the 2nd loop she solidified her position at the front. Mairhofer made a strong push to move into second place, finishing the bike segment trailing Billouin by 50 seconds. Paties continued her impressive ascent from eighth after the swim to third place by the end of the bike leg, 2 minutes and 36 seconds behind the leader.
Duvoisin slipped to fourth place after 2 spills, one around the 4K mark before the first aid station, then again on the second loop as she ended up 3 minutes and 19 seconds off the lead. Grabmüller, who was second out of the water, maintained her position in fifth place.
Entering the run segment, Billouin maintained her lead from the bike and extended it with exceptional endurance to finish ahead of the Elite women yet again. Mairhofer put forth a strong effort, but ultimately crossed the line approximately one minute and fifty-one seconds behind Billouin.
Duvoisin was impressive, moving up from fourth to third place during the run. She managed to close the gap, finishing two minutes and thirty-two seconds after the leader. In contrast, Paties, who started the run in third place, slipped to fourth as she couldn’t maintain her pace, ending up four minutes and thirty-two seconds behind Billouin.
