BY The T100 Triathlon World Tour is the new name for the Professional Triathletes Organisation and has been designated by World Triathlon as the ‘official World Championship for long distance triathlon’.
It will be a season-long schedule of eight T100 races during 2024 that will be competed over 100km (2km swim, 80km bike and 18km run) and will feature the world’s best triathletes going head-to-head in Miami (9 March), Singapore (13-14 April), San Francisco (8-9 June), London (27-28 July), Ibiza (28-29 September), Lake Las Vegas (19-20 October), Dubai (16-17 November) and at the Grand Final (29-30 November).
Apart from the professional categories, amateurs may also look forward to participating in the new 100km distance at six stages, including: Singapore, London, Ibiza, Lake Las Vegas, Dubai and at the Grand Final.
The Women Pro Race
Defending champion Ashleigh Gentle once again bested not just the brutal conditions of Singapore, but also all her competitors to secure victory in the T100 Women's Pro category last Saturday (13 April). Runner-up Lucy Charles-Barclay established a substantial lead off the bike, but was unable to hold off Gentle's relentless pursuit on the run. Dutchwoman Els Visser surprised herself by clinching third position, "a dream come true" and a monumental leap from her last placing in Singapore last year.
The Mens Pro Race
In a breathtaking performance, Dutch wildcard Youri Keulen secured his first T100 victory on Sunday (14 April) amidst stiff competition. Keulen collapsed immediately after his finish - a testament to the maximum effort he gave for the race. Hot on his heels were fan favourite Sam Long who closed a sizable gap, coming from last out of the swim to finishing second overall, followed by Belgian Pieter Heemeryck who came in third position.
Long’s tenacious and powerful performance saw him take second again and another US$16,000 in the bank and add 28 points to his T100 series tally, putting him just one point behind Keulen. Heemeryck held strong for third place, US$12,000 and 25 points.
Singapore National Athletes’ Performance
Wai Kit Lam finished in second overall in the Amateur Triathlon (100km), followed by Ben Khoo in fifth and Gen Lin Foo in 16th place. Arif Ibrahim came in second overall in the Amateur Duathlon (82km), followed by Tey Yi Jun and Brandon Bright in sixth and ninth position respectively.
Past and present Team Singapore athletes also took part in the Triathlon Team Relay categories with the team of Ritchie Oh, Calvin Sim and Daniel Leow topping the men’s category. In the mixed team relay, Liam Chan, Yeo Boon Kiak and Serena Teoh finished second ahead of Luke Tan, Goh Choon Huat and Jasmine Goh in third.
Wildcard Performance by RUN Singapore
Never one to shy away from a challenge, Team RUNSG took on the T100 Mixed Relay category.
Lim Wan Ting was off for a strong start at the swim leg, finishing the 2km open water swim in fifth position with a time of 28:22 (1:25min/100m). Braving the wet and slippery roads, Chew Yi Heng hammered hard on the 80km bike course, clocking an astonishing 2:15 (35.5km/hr) to complete his segment in seventh place. Expectations were then laid on Lester as he started his 18km under the scorching midday sun. With adrenaline pumping through his body, Lester completed the relay in 1:09, securing second place in his category with a blistering average pace of 3:50min/km. Team RUNSG clocked an official time of 3:56:07, placing in forth position overall and approximately five minutes behind the eventual winner, Team MetaPros (3:51:07).
Singapore T100 men’s Pro Race Standings:
- Youri Keulen - 3hr 21min 01sec
- Sam Long - 3:22:38
- Pieter Heemeryck - 3:23:30
- David McNamee - 3:26:03
- Kyle Smith - 3:26:57
Singapore T100 Women’s Pro Race Top 5 Standings:
- Ashleigh Gentle - 3:44:23
- Lucy Charles-Barclay - 3:45:58
- Els Visser - 3:51:38
- Amelia Watkinson - 3:52:03
- Lucy Buckingham - 3:52:10
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