Bahrain Victorious Sweep T100 Vancouver Podiums
Knibb and Geens Strike Gold
American star Taylor Knibb delivered a near-flawless race to take gold, reinforcing her reputation as one of the sport's most complete athletes. Her performance was mirrored in the men's race by Geens, who executed a tactically sharp run to outlast his countryman Van Riel, sealing a Belgian sweep under the Bahrain Victorious banner.
The pair's wins showed Bahrain Victorious 13's evolution from a high-profile team of individual stars into a collective powerhouse with clear race-day synergy.
Marten Van Riel Makes It a Double
Van Riel, back at full strength following an injury-plagued 2024, proved he's once again a podium threat at every outing. He worked closely with Geens throughout the bike leg, the two keeping their pace measured before unleashing on the run. The result was a one-two finish that left the chasing pack, including Germany's Mika Noodt, who took third — firmly behind.
Team Bahrain
In a sport often dominated by solo narratives, Bahrain Victorious 13 has become an example of team dynamics done right. With support systems in place and athletes peaking at the right time, their performance in Vancouver felt less like a surprise and more like a blueprint for modern triathlon success.
With tailored race calendars and high-performance coaching setups, Bahrain Victorious are building winners in the athletes they back.
Sam Long's Journey
While Bahrain celebrated, it was a far tougher day for US triathlon favourite Sam Long. Just six days after winning IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman, Long entered the fray in Vancouver clearly fatigued. A poor swim left him chasing from the start, and despite a valiant ride and run, he crossed the line in 11th — nearly five minutes behind the leaders.
'This race was a different kind of test,' Long said. 'If I can't fight for the win at T100, I have to redefine what winning means. For now, that's showing courage, resilience and staying proud of showing up.'
His honesty resonated with fans, but the performance was a stark reminder of how demanding back-to-back high-level races can be, and how brutal the T100 format can be on bodies still in recovery mode.
Looking Ahead to Nice
Despite the setback, Long remains focused on his 2025 goal: the IRONMAN World Championship in Nice this September. With three more T100 races to come this season, including the French Riviera T100 in late August, the American has time to recalibrate and build back toward form.
But in Vancouver, there was little doubt about who the weekend belonged to. Bahrain Victorious 13 didn't just show up — they owned the moment. On a course that tested endurance and execution, their athletes delivered both in full measure.
And with the season hitting its stride, the message from Vancouver is clear: Bahrain Victorious is setting the standard.
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