In a thrilling debut edition of the T100 Triathlon World Tour stop in Vancouver, Belgium’s Jelle Geens emerged victorious after a captivating head-to-head showdown with compatriot Marten van Riel. Geens surged ahead late in the run to secure the win.
The day began in the waters off Vancouver where American Morgan Pearson set the tone, clocking the fastest 2km swim split in 26:39. However, there was little separation among the athletes, with most of the field exiting the water in close proximity.
Things began to take shape on the bike. A powerful quartet of Mika Noodt, Marten van Riel, Rico Bogen, and Kyle Smith quickly asserted themselves at the front, working efficiently to put time into the rest of the field. By the halfway point of the 80km bike leg, they had opened up a one-minute gap to a chase group that included Jelle Geens, Antonio Benito Lopez, Miguel Hidalgo, and Panagiotis Bitados among others.
Just after midway through the bike, drama struck for Noodt as well. The German incurred a one-minute penalty for drafting and was forced to stop and serve it, losing contact with the front group. However, Noodt wasted no time in mounting a comeback. Rejoining the chasers, he put in a blistering effort and managed to bridge back up, starting the run just 22 seconds behind leaders Van Riel and Bogen. Geens and Benito Lopez were also within striking distance heading into the 18km run.
The run began with Van Riel and Bogen taking the early initiative, but Geens steadily closed the gap. Just over 4km in, Geens caught up to Van Riel, and the two Belgians settled into a stride-for-stride duel that thrilled spectators. As their gap to the chasers grew, it became clear the race would be decided between the two countrymen.
After 10km of shoulder-to-shoulder racing, Geens made his move. With a decisive and powerful surge, he dropped Van Riel and never looked back. While Geens looked effortless in his acceleration, Van Riel was visibly suffering, shifting into survival mode for the final kilometers.
Behind them, the battle for third intensified. Noodt, Smith, and Bogen were locked together, but it was Noodt who found the extra gear in the final stages to secure the final podium spot. Benito Lopez, showing tremendous grit, passed both Smith and Bogen late in the race to finish just off the podium in fourth.
Jelle Geens broke the tape in 3:12:49, capping off a masterclass in patience and execution. Van Riel took second in 3:13:38, while Noodt rounded out the podium in 3:14:46. Benito Lopez (4th), Smith, and Bogen completed the top six in what was a fiercely competitive day in Vancouver.
