Marten Van Riel and Taylor Knibb will be joined by Singapore defending champions and several Olympic medallists at the start line on April 5 and 6
Reigning T100 world champions Marten Van Riel and Taylor Knibb will begin their title defence amid a star-studded line-up at the April 5-6 Singapore T100, which is also the season opener for the T100 Triathlon World Tour.
Among those joining them in the stacked field are Singapore T100 defending champions Youri Keulen and Ashleigh Gentle as well as Paris Olympics triathlon silver medallists Hayden Wilde and Julie Derron, the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) and World Triathlon confirmed on Wednesday (5 March).
World No. 1s Van Riel and Knibb may be on unfamiliar ground as they are making their debuts in Singapore, but the pair have demonstrated their strength and willpower last season. Both defied the intense heat and produced flawless performances at last year’s season-ending Dubai race to clinch their world championship titles, with Knibb winning all four T100 races in which she competed.
However, the American will be up against tough competition in Singapore who might be more familiar with the conditions in the Lion City. World No. 2 Gentle also won the inaugural edition in 2023, when the race was known as the PTO Asian Open, proving herself highly adept in hot and humid conditions.
Speaking about her approach for the new season, the Australian underlined the importance of her mental preparation, saying: “I’m telling myself that I can be the T100 World Champion. That's the mentality I have to have and I believe it will give me the best chance - along with giving everything I have in training, which of course I feel like I always have.
“I switched coaches at the middle of last year. So going into Singapore this year will be different preparation for me and I'm excited to see if that's going to work out. I definitely feel good about how training's going. It's a slog in Queensland right now (due to the hot weather), but I know that that's really good preparation for the sauna that is Singapore.”
Also on the start line is Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Flora Duffy, who after a full winter training on a TT bike is sure to be in contention. Paris 2024 Olympic relay silver medalist Taylor Spivey will be in a similar position and proved how fast she can be in the swim and run during the second half of last year.
British breakthrough star Lucy Byram came sixth overall on the T100 Tour last year and is looking to improve. 2023 Ironman world champion Lucy Charles-Barclay, who came second in Singapore last year after leading deep into the run, will also be a contender.
Men’s Pro Race will see exciting battles across 100km The Belgian Van Riel will go into the Singapore T100 as the favourite after being crowned the T100 World Champion last year, but he can expect stiff competition everywhere he looks along the start line at the stunning Marina Bay swim course.
Dutchman Keulen, who famously collapsed upon crossing the finish line first last year, will be better prepared this year.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to coming back to Singapore. It’s a place that is close to my heart and where I have good memories. I know the T100 series this year is more competitive and will be stronger in every discipline, so I don’t want to leave any stone unturned in my preparation. I’m adding more heat sessions and other different sessions to ensure I’m ready. I know I need to bring my A game. But I’d love to return and shake everyone’s hand after the finish because I missed that last year.”
Another major contender is New Zealander Wilde, who is relishing the opportunity to step up in the 100km distance and take on Van Riel in the T100 series for the first time.
He said: “The thing I'm looking forward to about racing the T100 series is probably being strong in all three disciplines. So obviously the 20m non-drafting rule is great, being strong on the 18km run and then obviously, a few of the athletes will try to get rid of me on the swim.
“I’m excited to race Marten. We've had some duels over the last few years in the short course, but I know that his forte is probably this long course stuff. He's going to be super aggressive, so I’m looking forward to setting up on the line and giving him a bit of a rustle tussle throughout the season.”
Also lining up in Singapore is 2024 series runner-up Kyle Smith and American fan favourite Sam Long, who dramatically went from last out of the water to finishing second at last year’s Singapore T100.
T100 weekends are multi-sport festivals and feature a range of opportunities for amateur athletes of all levels to get involved. Experienced amateurs get to tackle the iconic 100km triathlon (2km swim, 80km cycle, 18km run) on a similar course to the professionals, while fitness enthusiasts can opt for the Standard Duathlon (5km run, 32km cycle, 5km run) or Long Duathlon (9.5km run, 64km cycle, 9.5km run) in an individual or team relay format. Those who want a relaxed workout and enjoy jamming to lively tunes can sign up for The Music Run, an untimed 5km fun run that takes place on the evening of April 5. #SingaporeT100 #T100Triathlon
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