When triathlon history looks back at 2025, Istanbul will stand out as more than just a host city – it became the crossroads where some of Europe’s best battled for continental supremacy. With the Bosphorus as the dramatic backdrop, the Men’s European Championship on Sunday delivered a race that lived up to the hype of this unique double-header weekend.
The day began with a furious pace in the water. France’s Jules Rethoret, Greece’s Panagiotis Bitados, and the Netherlands’ Ian Pennekamp wasted no time in making their intentions clear, driving the swim to force separation and shake up the field. By the time athletes hit the bike course, it was evident that this was going to be a tactical race, defined as much by smart positioning as by raw power.
The Istanbul circuit proved as unforgiving as it was spectacular, with sharp turns demanding precision and long straights testing both nerve and endurance. Packs formed and broke apart, riders attacked and countered, but nobody was able to land a decisive blow before the decisive 10km run.
That’s where Switzerland’s Max Studer made the difference. Running with the poise of a champion, he timed his move to perfection, gradually turning the screw until the rest of the field could no longer hold his pace. Crossing the line in 01:44:18, Studer claimed the European crown with authority, cementing his place among the continent’s elite.
Behind him, Hungary’s Bence Bicsák delivered one of the grittiest runs of the day to secure silver, while Panagiotis Bitados rewarded his aggressive racing style with a well-deserved bronze for Greece.