Belgium’s Jolien Vermeylen has capped off a sensational 2025 season by claiming the European Championship title over the Standard Distance in Istanbul. Already one of the breakthrough athletes of the year, Vermeylen added continental gold to a campaign that has seen her collect victories at the Europe Triathlon Cup Holten, the World Triathlon Cup Tongyeon, and Supertri Toronto, along with a podium at the World Triathlon Cup Miyazaki and a fourth place at the WTCS Hamburg.
While the women’s field in Istanbul wasn’t stacked with all of the world’s biggest names – many of the top-ranked athletes chose to skip the event – Vermeylen once again proved her class. In hot and challenging conditions, she delivered another performance that confirms her status as one of triathlon’s rising stars.
The race itself got off to a strange start, with the women recalled after a false swim start forced a restart. Once underway, the swim and bike legs unfolded without major fireworks, and by the time the large lead group hit T2, around 25 athletes were still in contention. Vermeylen positioned herself perfectly, setting the stage for what has become her trademark weapon: the run.
Over the final 10 kilometers, the field began to thin out until Vermeylen made her decisive move with just two kilometers remaining. Kicking clear, she sealed the title in commanding fashion, stopping the clock at 1:55:34. Russia’s Diana Isakova took silver just seven seconds back (1:55:41), while Britain’s Tilly Anema claimed bronze (1:55:44).
With this victory, Vermeylen adds a golden highlight to an already sparkling season. Every race she’s entered in 2025 seems to have delivered a big result, and her European crown is further proof that she belongs among the sport’s elite.
