He came, he saw, he conquered. In April of this year, Jonathan Guisolan was certainly not the top favorite to win Challenge Sir Bani Yas – in fact, few people within the triathlon world even knew his name at the time. Yet with a solid swim, an exceptionally impressive bike leg, and a composed run, the Swiss athlete claimed a memorable victory. On January 31 next year, he will return to defend his title.
Of course, Guisolan is eager to defend his crown, which in itself is reason enough to come back. But his return is also driven by how special he finds the race – and the extraordinary setting in which it takes place. “Racing on Sir Bani Yas Island is really unique. What stood out the most was the fact that there’s no car traffic at all. It feels like a proper racing circuit on the bike.”
A proper racing circuit on the bike, while at the same time being surrounded all day by wildlife such as dolphins, giraffes, and antelopes. Both in the water and on the bike course, there is plenty to take in.
“It definitely left a strong impression. During the race, you’re focused on racing of course, but you’re aware that you’re surrounded by wildlife, which is pretty surreal. I’ve never experienced anything like that before. Riding alongside giraffes or knowing dolphins are nearby in the water, is completely unique. It’s something you don’t get anywhere else in the triathlon world.”
Guisolan clearly enjoyed the race, and his victory naturally gave him a significant boost heading into the rest of the season. “Yes, for sure. Winning early in the season always gives you confidence. It confirmed that the training was going in the right direction and gave me good momentum moving forward.”
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That momentum soon proved valuable, as shortly after his victory at Challenge Sir Bani Yas, he broke the six-hour world record on the track. “Biking was the only discipline I trained seriously before starting triathlon, so it’s always been a strong foundation for me. Having one discipline I’m really confident in has allowed me to put more time and energy into developing the other two in training.”
As Guisolan prepares to return to Challenge Sir Bani Yas in January ’26, he also shares some useful advice for Age Group athletes planning to take on the race in Abu Dhabi. “The heat can’t be underestimated, so hydration, cooling strategies, and pacing are crucial. If you stay patient and manage the conditions well, it can be a very rewarding race.”
The fact that a cruise ship will be docked next to the event venue next year – allowing athletes and spectators to stay together on board – completes the experience in Guisolan’s eyes.
“Absolutely. The cruise ship will add another unique element to an already special event. It fits perfectly with the overall experience of the race and will make Challenge Sir Bani Yas even more memorable for athletes and spectators.”