Singapore debuts

Professional triathlon is exploring new horizons at the T100 Triatlon World Tour - a race format combining speed and endurance in a 100 kilometre course designed to redefine the limits of the sport. This tour isn’t just a competition, but a global spectacle uniting the world’s best triathletes in iconic settings around the globe. This 2025 post-Olympic T100 promises the definition of professional triathlon, bidding a warm welcome to big names and long distance first-timers, incñuding New Zealander Hayden Wilde, whose explosive performance positions him as one of the favourites to win the tour. On the women’s side, we also have the Brit, Kate Waugh, and Aussie, Ashleigh Gentle, who represent the generational transition marking this season.

 

The curtain is being lifted in Singapore, an enclave that combines modernity and tradition with a unique atmosphere. Marina Bay was the epicentre of the inaugural event, where the world’s best triathletes went head to head, facing the difficulties posed by the tropical climate. The sweltering heat and humidity made the course even more challenging: with calm water for the swim, urban streets lined with skyscrapers for the cycle and trails surrounded by palm trees for the run. Singapore wasn’t just a physical challenge; it was also a visual spectacle that set the scene for an unforgettable season.

The temperature of the water reached 30 degrees, so our athletes found themselves facing a swim where wetsuits weren’t allowed to be used. Alternatively, Orca has an imitation suit: an ultralight and tight-fitting piece authorised for use by triathletes on top of their trisuit during the swim stage - in other words, the Apex Swimskin. This hydrodynamic suit is designed to reduce water resistance to a maximum, thanks to its HydroSkin+ fabric. It offers slight muscular compression, which improves the athlete’s posture in the water and is easy to put on and take off thanks to its back zipper, speeding up your transition into cycling.

All eyes were on our young athlete, Kate Waugh, and her memorable performance at her T100 debut, where she won the women’s race with a record time of 3:45:18. The Brit tailed the leading swimmers right from the start and exited the water alongside Jessica Learmonth and Lucy Charles-Barclay. In the cycling stage, she took the lead together with Learmonth before getting ahead in the run, finishing the 18km after a show of incredible speed. Waugh crossed the finishing line with an advantage of 6 minutes and 41 seconds ahead of Lisa Perterer and 7 minutes ahead of Charles-Barclay, who both joined her on the podium. Her victory not only marks her triumphant arrival to the tour, but also positions her as early leader in the qualifiers for Qatar. 

 

Ashleigh Gentle arrived in Singapore as the current sub champion of the tour after a great year in 2024. She finished the start of the season in a modest sixth place, where her swim stood out, despite her generally not feeling up to scratch.

“A decent swim, but overall a shocking day for me yesterday, I had absolutely nothing on that bike and run. I’m sad that I didn’t feel myself out there, especially in a race where I can usually thrive. The roller coaster of sport and racing is brutal! Thankfully I have plenty of time to rest, reset and get ready for the next one”

Lucy Byram and Julie Derron, who came second at the Paris Olympics, represented Orca in Singapore. It was a hard day for both athletes, but they’ve set their sights on the next stage of the tour in San Francisco. 

For Lucy, the start of the season didn’t quite go to plan: “A combination of a few things meant I wasn’t 100% going into this race. I tried to stay optimistic but my body wasn’t having any of it. Against this quality of field and in these conditions, you can’t turn up and expect to perform if you’re not fighting fit! Home time now, and a nice long build up for the next one!”

Julie Derron: “I’m not quite ready to race at the level required in these conditions with such a field. I‘ll put it down as a rust buster and be back better.”

 

Hayden Wilde, runner-up at the 2024 Paris Olympics, also shone at his first T100, dominating the race with a time of 3:18:11. Despite trailing behind in the swim (15th place), he quickly gained ground in the cycling. During the run, Wilde demonstrated his edge, maintaining a strong and steady pace, allowing him to pull away from the rest. Léo Bergère finished second after a solid performance in his transition halfway through, while Marten Van Riel, defending T100 champion, upped his game and snagged third place, thanks to his experience and endurance.

Triathletes Youri Keulen, Max Stapley, Antonio Benito and Justus Nieschalag represented Orca at the event. Each athlete dived into the water at Marina Bay wearing an Apex Swimskin, hoping to give it their all and to start a season that promises to be a long one, and full of great performances.

These were the first impressions shared by the triathletes after a thrilling race, where we enjoyed triathlon at its best in an epic setting. Singapore was just the beginning; this year the T100 tour has raised the bar and we’re ready to enjoy the show.

Youri Keulen: “4th place in Singapore! This means the world to me, especially in a city that holds such a special place in my heart. It’s no secret that I’ve been through a rough period since last year. It hasn’t been easy. There were moments I truly didn’t know what the right steps forward were. But I’m incredibly grateful and proud of the people in my corner. They’ve stuck by me, believed in me, and did the hard work alongside me. I just had to show up and perform on race day.”

Max Stapley lined up in Singapore for his debut on the T100 Tour thanks to a Wildcard from the organisation. He made a solid start out with the front pack in the swim and dug deep on the run to finish 13th in brutal conditions - undoubtedly a big improvement and a good insight into what this athlete can bring to the tour.

Antonio Benito: “What a race, Singapore! 7th place for me in the first T100 of the year - it was hot, humid and tough out there! I’m happy with my race but hungry for more! It’s going to be a long season and consistency is key. I’m feeling lucky to compete against the best in the world.”

Justus Nieschlag: “Yesterday was a tough one! The conditions were brutal – hot, humid, and unforgiving. On the final lap of the bike, my chain dropped, costing me precious time and rhythm. On the run, my legs just weren’t there for the first half but I showed up, gave what I had and learned a lot. Next up, San Francisco!”