logo
Geens claims dominant triathlon win in Vancouver

Geens claims dominant triathlon win in Vancouver

The Belgian did not finish the opening race of the season in Singapore but bounced back with a second-placed finish in San Francisco a fortnight ago.
Geens then followed that up in style in Vancouver, leading from the front to seal a first victory of the season and move level on points with German pair Rico Bogen and Mika Noodt behind leader Marten Van Riel in the overall standings.
'It was a hard race,' said Geens. 'It's a bit like it was in my first T100 race in Lake Las Vegas [last year] and on the run I had to go for my life.
'I'm very pleased with the last two races after Singapore and getting two good scores on the board for the Race To Qatar.
'I need two more [scores] before the final and there are lots of opportunities but I'm aiming for the highest, which is two more wins.
'It's very open still, with lots of races to go, but this is a very good step for me.'
Geens formed a lead group on the bike alongside Van Riel, Bogen and Noodt and was able to stay in touch despite briefly dropping off the pace before showing his strength on the run to produce a storming leg and take the tape.
The Belgian eventually took the win by 50 seconds over compatriot Van Riel, having overtaken the overall leader halfway through the run.
He added: 'That was tough! I didn't have the best start in the swim. The pace wasn't too hard but there was a bit of a gap.
'On the bike, the big guys like Kyle [Smith], Marten and Mika went to the front first and it was hard for me and then I got properly dropped.
'I got lucky that Mika got a penalty and I was able to hang onto him and didn't lose too much ground.'
Van Riel did much of the heavy lifting on the bike leg after a tough swim but was pleased with his podium finish having finished a disappointing sixth in San Francisco two weeks ago.
'I'm very happy to be on the podium again,' he said. 'I was leading at the start of the bike, and it took a long time for someone to challenge me. I thought, damn, I must be strong in aero today!
'I think Rico and Jelle have really shown their cards in the last couple of races, and I think I'm just not quite there yet.
'To be this close to Jelle on the run, who's one of the best in the sport is actually good for my morale. My bike is really good at the moment so I'm confident I've got more in the tank for the Race To Qatar.'
The T100 Triathlon World Tour is a season-long schedule of World Championship level races competed over 100km (2km swim, 80km bike and 18km run), where the world's best triathletes go head-to-head in iconic locations. For more information visit www.T100Triathlon.com
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Five midfield engines Man Utd could swoop for if Carlos Baleba transfer fails including Morten Hjulmand
Five midfield engines Man Utd could swoop for if Carlos Baleba transfer fails including Morten Hjulmand

Scottish Sun

time22 minutes ago

  • Scottish Sun

Five midfield engines Man Utd could swoop for if Carlos Baleba transfer fails including Morten Hjulmand

MANCHESTER UNITED have been dealt a major blow in their pursuit of Carlos Baleba. The Red Devils opened talks with Brighton, via intermediaries, in the hopes of securing a deal for the 21-year-old earlier this month. 14 Man Utd are now unlikely to land Carlos Baleba this window Credit: Getty 14 14 However, despite the player reportedly being open to the move, his price tag of over £100million following a summer of heavy spending for United meant any deal would be difficult. And comments from Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler before the Premier League season gets underway have cast further doubt over the move being completed this window. The German boss said he was "very, very, very confident" the Cameroon international will remain a Brighton player this season, adding the only difference he has seen is a change in his HAIR. It is no secret to anyone who has watched United under Ruben Amorim that they are desperate for a strong two-way midfielder to sit in their pivot, with options like Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro proving to not be up to standard. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Tactics exposed How Man Utd vs Arsenal will be decided by 'Flying-V' attack battle So with Baleba no longer on the table, it begs the question, who can United target in the market? SunSport have identified five statistically similar players to Baleba as alternative options for the midfield, including two Amorim favourites and two Premier League stars. Amadou Onana 14 Amadou Onana was a United target before signing for Aston Villa Credit: Getty We're starting off with the star who would likely be the most like-for-like to Baleba in the form of Aston Villa star Amadou Onana, and with PSR implications in play it stands to reason United could cook up a move. Onana, who turns 24 tomorrow, was previously a target for Old Trafford bosses before completing a £50m switch to Villa Park from Everton last summer. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK An already impressive player during his time at the Toffees, Onana was key in helping Unai Emery's side secure a top six finish and was sorely missed when he suffered a hamstring injury in February. Compared to Baleba last season, the Belgium midfielder has an almost identical passing range to his Brighton counterpart, with Onana completing 3.83 passes into the final third per 90 minutes to Baleba's 3.68. Benjamin Sesko is paraded around Old Trafford after completing £74million transfer Onana also enjoyed a superior progressive passing rate, clocking in 4.17 progressive passes per 90 to Baleba's 3.99, while the Villa star is also the superior player in terms of successful take-ons with a 70 per cent success rate in dribbles up field compared to Baleba's 57.9 per cent. However, statistically speaking, Baleba is a better carrier of the ball with 32.8 carries per 90 to Onana's 30.7 per 90. 14 Both showed superb defensive prowess as well, though Baleba is shown to be the better ball-winner in the middle third, putting up 3.61 possessions won there per 90 to Onana's 2.44, and also putting up better interception figures. That being said, Onana trumps Baleba in duels won per 90, 7.26 to 6.71, and tackles with 3.05 to 2.66. Morten Hjulmand 14 SunSport has exclusively revealed how United are eyeing a deal for Morten Hjulmand Credit: Getty SunSport have exclusively revealed that United chiefs will turn their attention to Sporting Lisbon's Morten Hjulmand if they miss out on Baleba. The 26-year-old was one of Amorim's favourites during their time together at Sporting and would cost half what Baleba would. It is easy to see why the Danish midfielder is so highly rated when looking at his numbers per 90 minutes, with 6.44 possessions won, 5.59 duels won, 8.39 passes into the final third and 11.02 carries. 14 Baleba's respective figures for these metrics is 6.64 total possessions won, 6.71 duels won, 5.32 passes into the final third and 13.98 carries. While they can both perform similar roles defensively, Hjulmand offers a superior range of passing compared to the superior carrying ability possessed by Baleba. The likelihood this season is that one midfielder will play alongside club captain Bruno Fernandes in the middle, so the profile will need to compliment him. Lucas Bergvall 14 Lucas Bergvall was the one that got away for United Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Tottenham's Lucas Bergvall may not be a player who is immediately considered like-for-like with Baleba. However, in another timeline the teenage starlet could have been wearing the shirt of the Red Devils right now. The Swede was a two-time trialist with United, firstly when he was with IF Brommapojkarna in 2020 at 15, before a second trial in 2022 shortly after he turned 16. But the turnover of United's recruitment staff in 2022 saw him slip through the cracks, ultimately paving the way for the 19-year-old to arrive at Spurs from Djurgården in February 2024. And as fate would have it, Bergvall's numbers indicate he is a solid Baleba alternative. 14 They are similar in a number of aspects, with Bergvall putting up 2.91 tackles per 90, 6.42 duels won, 4.93 passes into the final third and 16.72 carries making him marginally worse than Baleba in duelling and forward passing, but better in tackling activity and carrying. That being said, Bergvall started far fewer games than Baleba last season, down to both his relative youth and being down the pecking order until injuries gave him a chance to play. He was a late substitute in Spurs' Super Cup defeat against PSG on Wednesday, but could yet become a key name under Thomas Frank. In January, Swedish media claimed Spurs had slapped a £44m price tag on him, and after an impressive end of the season that price will have only increased which could make any potential move for the youngster even more difficult. Mateus Fernandes 14 Mateus Fernandes was given a glowing review by Amorim when he left Sporting Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Unlike the rest of the names on this list, Mateus Fernandes could be far more easily attainable due to no longer playing in the top flight. However, a look at the numbers behind the 21-year-old make interesting reading for the Southampton star. The spiky Portuguese ace - who joined the Saints from Sporting Lisbon last summer - had 2.76 tackles per 90, 6.48 duels won, 12.38 total carries and 4.59 successful passes into the final third. Fernandes is once again a player Amorim is familiar with from their time together in Portugal. 14 Amorim was still around at Sporting when Fernandes departed for the Premier League, and the Man Utd boss gave a glowing review of the star, saying: "What we lost is a player. A young man with a lot of value who, in my opinion, has the characteristics to be a great player. "But choices were made. And then, obviously, we do everything together. "We really wanted to keep Mateus. And, honestly, I think Mateus would have liked to stay, despite it being a big contract and a big league. It was a difficult time for everyone." Reports suggest Southampton have already rejected a bid of £30m from West Ham and want up to £50m for him - a price United could theoretically pay while also future proofing their midfield. Felix Nmecha 14 Felix Nmecha has Champions League experience and is at a selling club Credit: Getty Felix Nmecha represents the exact type of player United have signed this summer, in terms of age. The 24-year-old German, who signed for Borussia Dortmund in 2023 for £26m after coming through the youth ranks at Manchester City, has already been linked to United by German outlet Bild. In March it was claimed the Red Devils were prepared to make an offer worth more than £41m to land him. His time at both Dortmund and City have handed him experience in the Champions League - a level of play United are aiming to return to next season. 14 And his numbers place Nmecha at a higher level than Baleba in terms of passing capability, with 7.03 successful passes into the final third per 90 and 3.34 successful long passes per 90, compared to the Brighton man's 5.32 final third passes and 2.19 long passes respectively. Baleba, however, is the superior ball winner and progressive carrier, with 6.71 duels won per 90 compared 5.96, 2.75 tackles per 90 to 2.03, 1.55 interceptions per 90 to 1.37 and 2.93 progressive carries per 90 compared to 1.85. While he can also lay a claim to experience at the top level of European football, perhaps the main drawback against Nmecha is his lack of Prem proven experience. Yet that did not stop United from signing Benjamin Sesko from the Bundesliga, and unlike Brighton, they know Dortmund are a club who are always willing to sell for the right price. Man Utd's transfer deals IN Bryan Mbeumo - from Brentford - £71m Matheus Cunha - from Wolves - £62.5m Diego Leon - from Cerro Porteno - £7m Benjamin Sesko - from RB Leipzig - £74m TOTAL - £214.5m OUT Victor Lindelof - released Christian Eriksen - released TOTAL - £0m MAN UTD TRANSFER NEWS LIVE Homegrown solutions Of course, there is an argument for the advancement of home grown talent at United. The club has invested heavily in their academy, with it paying dividends in the youth levels through a highly-successful Under-18 set-up. There is also the conundrum of 20-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, doubtless every bit as talented as Baleba if not more, who has played some minutes in pre-season as one of the two deeper midfielders. He is excellent with ball carrying and is rarely dispossessed even when under pressure, which makes him a huge asset for bringing the ball out the back. The concern around him is his tackling prowess, yet Mainoo's numbers are not too far off with 1.58 tackles won per 90 compared to Baleba's 1.55. With United playing just one game a week for the majority of the season, a Mainoo renaissance by making him the core of the midfield could be all United need to solve their issues - but Amorim would need to have faith in the Carrington graduate for that to happen. 14 TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW

Referee David Coote given eight-week suspension over abusive words to Jurgen Klopp
Referee David Coote given eight-week suspension over abusive words to Jurgen Klopp

ITV News

time38 minutes ago

  • ITV News

Referee David Coote given eight-week suspension over abusive words to Jurgen Klopp

A former Premier League referee has been given an eight-week suspension and told to attend an education programme over abusive words about ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. David Coote was charged by the Football Association in June 2025 after comments first emerged in a video circulating on social media last November. In the video, recorded in July 2020, the 42-year-old calls Klopp a 'German ****' and 'f***ing arrogant'. He is also heard to say it had been 's***' to be fourth official at a Liverpool match in the summer of 2020. Coote was suspended from his role, before he was sacked in December 2024. His misconduct was defined as an aggravated breach under the FA's rules because there was a reference to Klopp's nationality. Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) said his position had become 'untenable' when confirming his dismissal. The FA said he had subsequently admitted the charge. The governing body said he would face no further action in regard to separate allegations of gambling misconduct, which he had denied. Coote was also banned by European football's governing body UEFA in February until 30 June 2026 after a different video emerged of him snorting a white powder through a bank note while in Germany for last summer's Euros. In January, he came out as gay in an interview with The Sun and said that a lifelong struggle to hide his sexuality had contributed to the rant about Klopp, and to his drug use. He said: 'My sexuality isn't the only reason that led me to be in that position. But I'm not telling an authentic story if I don't say that I'm gay and that I've had real struggles with hiding that. 'I hid my emotions as a young ref and I hid my sexuality as well — a good quality as a referee but a terrible quality as a human being. And that's led me to a whole course of behaviours.'

Howard Webb thinks a return to refereeing for David Coote is unlikely
Howard Webb thinks a return to refereeing for David Coote is unlikely

North Wales Chronicle

timean hour ago

  • North Wales Chronicle

Howard Webb thinks a return to refereeing for David Coote is unlikely

Former Premier League match official Coote was on Tuesday given an eight-week suspension by the Football Association over abusive words he used about ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. He was sacked by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in December, a month after the video filmed in July 2020 came to light. The 43-year-old has a potential route back into football after the FA said he would be free to officiate again after serving the ban and completing an education programme. But PGMOL boss Webb feels that is unlikely. 'I think it'd be really difficult for David to come back, I'm afraid to say,' said Webb. 'He's somebody that we stayed in contact with, somebody who was part of our refereeing family for a long time and served the game for a long period of time and I've known him personally for many years. 'It's sad what happened with David but I think it would be challenging for him to come back.' Coote's misconduct was defined as an aggravated breach under the FA's rules because there was a reference to Klopp's nationality. In the video, he described Klopp as a 'German c***' and said he was 'f****** arrogant'. Coote was banned by European football's governing body UEFA until June 30, 2026 after a different video emerged of him snorting a white powder through a bank note while in Germany for Euro 2024. In January, Coote came out as gay and said a lifelong struggle to hide his sexuality had contributed to the rant about Klopp and his drug use. Webb said PGMOL has reviewed and 'beefed up' its support for match officials and their families in the wake of Coote's downfall. 'When it became apparent David had made some bad choices away from the football field, we had to care for him and we had to try to understand why he'd made some of those choices and were they connected to the job,' said Webb. 'We spoke to all of our officials and there was some feedback from them about the support that they think they need. 'It was a good time for us to reflect on the services that we do provide. 'We've got sports psychologists and some element of mental health and wellbeing and support. But there was a recognition that could be beefed up.' Webb, who took charge of the 2010 Champions League and World Cup finals before retiring in 2014, encouraged match officials to be open about personal issues. 'I don't want officials to have a fear that if they step forward and say, 'can we have a chat?' that that's going to impact their appointments,' said the 54-year-old. 'We wanted to really emphasise to them that doing that was a sign of strength and not weakness. 'I think we've made good ground over the last few months in that respect because we've probably not had those conversations previously. I think we've had a few of them since. 'Having been there myself, traditionally you'd say I've got to show strength, I've got to show nobody's getting to me, I've got a thick skin. But I think over time it can weigh you down.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store