Latest news with #VanRiel
South Wales Argus
15-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Marten Van Riel promises best is yet to come in T100 Triathlon
The Belgian athlete was left disappointed with a sixth-placed finish in San Francisco two weeks ago that dented his hopes of winning back-to-back T100 titles. But Van Riel roared back from his sub-par showing in the States with a second place in Vancouver, as he took silver behind the fast-finishing Jelle Geens. It moves Van Riel top of the overall standings after he also finished third in Singapore in April, but the Belgian is confident he has even more to bring to the table later in the year. 'I think Rico [Bogen] and Jelle have really shown their cards in the last couple of races, and I think I'm just not quite there yet,' he said. 'I got a little bit sick on altitude training in the preparation [for this race] and I feel and know that my run isn't quite 100%. 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. 'We've seen the top athletes get good scores and I hope Hayden [Wilde] returns as soon as possible because he really showed up in Singapore for the first race, so I don't count him out at all. It's going to be very interesting, especially with double points for the final in Qatar.' Van Riel took the mantle on the bike leg but was quickly joined by Rico Bogen, Kyle Smith and Mika Noodt. Both Noodt and Smith endured drafting penalties at separate points, but were able to keep themselves in touching distance of Van Riel and Bogen, who were the first to hit the run. But a storming comeback from Geens earned him the victory and forced Van Riel to settle for second. 'It was a hard swim, because there was a current pushing us either into the buoys or away from the buoys,' reflected Van Riel. 'Then topped off with a very tough run, but I'm very happy to be on the podium again. '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 was happy with that.' 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
South Wales Guardian
15-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
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
South Wales Argus
15-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
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
South Wales Argus
13-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Marten Van Riel knows he must improve to defend T100 Triathlon title
T100 Triathlon champion Marten Van Riel knows he must improve his performances if he is to defend his world title later this year. The Belgian was left disappointed with a sixth-place finish in San Francisco two weeks ago but has an immediate chance to make amends in Vancouver this weekend. Missing out on the podium last time out was a blow to Van Riel's end of season objectives following a third-place finish in Singapore to open his season strongly. But the 32-year-old is confident some training time on Vancouver Island has been the perfect way to prepare ahead of the third races of the series. 'I had a really good start to the season in Singapore, I was very happy with the result but San Francisco was a bit below my expectations,' he said. 'I expected more of myself in that race. I just felt like I didn't have it there. That whole week I didn't feel super good, I was a bit stressed out because I didn't have my luggage. I didn't feel comfortable. 'It's something I have got back through 10 days in Victoria, I have fully recovered and then had a couple of sessions to sharpen everything up. I'm feeling good and hoping for a better day. 'We had a little preparation camp for 10 days there and yesterday flew in by water plane, so I made a good entry. I love the vibe here, it's very relaxed and chill.' Marten Van Riel competes in San Francisco (Image: That Cameraman - Darren Wheeler)Van Riel feels he will reap the rewards of the down time off Canada's coast in a race he knows he needs a result in, with the Belgian planning to miss the two European legs of the tour over the summer. The 32-year-old currently sits second in the overall rankings, so another strong finish in Vancouver will leave him well-placed for an assault at the overall title in Qatar in December. 'We're just two races in, so we're not very far but slowly the rankings are going to start shaping up,' he said. 'I am probably going to miss both of the European races so this one is important for me to set myself up for a good end of the year and defend my title from last year. 'I'm not thinking too much about the title, I am just trying to string together the best results I can. 'Sixth place in San Francisco is probably just on the edge of being good enough if you want to challenge at the top of the rankings, so I am going to have to do better than that.' Watch the world's top 20 female and top 20 male triathletes race live in the Vancouver T100 on Saturday 14 June. The broadcast starts at 0915 local time, 1715 in the UK, with the men's race starting at 0930 and then the women at 1200. You can tune in live for free globally on PTO+ or watch on partners channels such as TNT Sports in the UK, Max or Discovery+ in Europe, or beIN in North America. For more details visit
Rhyl Journal
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
T100 world champion Marten Van Riel aiming to replicate 'dream' victory on West Coast
Marten Van Riel wins the sprint at San Francisco on the line in 2024 (Image: PTO) This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. T100 world champion Marten Van Riel is targeting more San Francisco success having raced to a 'dream' victory in a thrilling sprint finish at the event last year. The Belgian, who claimed the inaugural T100 world title last year, took victory on the West Coast on the line in 2024, winning a three-man sprint by 0.01 seconds. Now, Van Riel is hoping he can replicate the magic of that performance as he looks to get his season into full swing after a third-place finish in Singapore. 'It was honestly a dream last year to take the victory, and I'm ready to defend it this year. I love the race, I love the location. The course is, in my opinion, the best on the circuit,' the 32-year-old said. '[Last year] was incredible, that's what we live for. It's a three-hour-plus race, and it comes down to less than a second with three of us. 'If I would have finished third in that case, I would be very frustrated. But now it's magical. 'That's what you get when you put the best in the world together. You're going to get close races like that. That was very cool.' 🔥 VANCOUVER T100 MEN'S START LIST 🔥 The contracted athletes rolling up to Vancity when the T100 hits Canada for the very first time 🇨🇦 Catch all the action live on PTO+ on Saturday 14 June 📺 READ MORE: — T100 Triathlon World Tour (@t100triathlon) May 13, 2025 Van Riel will head to the USA in better shape than the season opener in Singapore having raced an Ironman just a week before. But he will take confidence from the mettle he showed in both performances, finishing second in the Ironman before claiming a second podium place with third in Singapore. 'That was obviously very, very hard and not the easiest combination. In the end, it did work out well with two very solid results that I could be happy with,' reflected Van Riel. 'I was just drained the whole time. It was only just in time, like one or two days before the race, that I started really turning it around and feeling good again. So I wouldn't recommend it, but I'm happy that it turned out well. 'Beforehand I thought, 'Okay, I can do it.' But you always think you're Superman before a race. Once I finished the Ironman, I was thinking 'How am I going to do this?' 'To turn up and take that third place, that was incredible. It really motivates me and I have the feeling that I can still build throughout this season and get my level higher. 'If I could already finish third there, hopefully I can play even higher stakes in the next races.' Having finished with the highest points total across the T100 races last season to claim the world title, taking three victories, Van Riel is acutely aware that he has set the standard for others. But after a training camp in Sierra Nevada, he is not accepting any excuses as he aims to defend his title with a target on his back. 'All the other athletes saw last year, what my level was and that level was the level that took the world title,' said Van Riel. 'Every time someone does really good performances, if you give it some time, other people are going to be catching up. That's just the game. 'It's going to be a lot harder this year, but I'm excited to battle it out with these guys and try to stay on top.' Watch the world's top 20 female and top 20 male triathletes race live in the San Francisco T100 over the legendary Escape From Alcatraz course on Saturday 31 May. The broadcast starts at 0545 local time, 1345 in the UK, with the races starting 15 minutes later. You can tune in live for free globally on PTO+ or watch on partners channels such as TNT Sports 2 in the UK, Max or Discovery+ in Europe, or beIN in North America. For more details visit
