While the women’s T100 Dubai race didn’t feature the dramatic, unprecedented incidents that shaped the men’s event, it delivered an engaging battle among three standout athletes. In the end, it was Switzerland’s Julie Derron who rose above the rest, outpacing pre-race favorite Kate Waugh and securing a decisive victory.
The swim saw several athletes pushing the front – including Sara Perez Sala and Taylor Spivey – but the race truly took shape on the bike. Early in the ride, three women emerged as the clear leaders: Derron, Jessica Learmonth, and Waugh. With two of the biggest favorites riding together and Learmonth positioned as a dangerous outsider, the trio quickly established a significant gap. By the time they reached T2, their advantage over the chasers had ballooned to more than four minutes, making it abundantly clear that the winner would come from this front group.
Those hoping for a tightly contested run were left slightly disappointed – but only because of Derron’s sheer strength. First Learmonth slipped off the pace, and soon after, Waugh was forced to yield to the relentless tempo set by the Swiss star. Derron only extended her lead over the 18-kilometer run, her victory never appearing in doubt.
Derron broke the tape in 3:27:50, delivering a commanding performance from start to finish. Waugh claimed second place in 3:31:03, while Learmonth secured the final podium spot in 3:33:46.