Jelle Geens made history on Sunday morning by becoming the first Belgian to win the Ironman 70.3 World Championship, held in Taupo, New Zealand. The 31-year-old triathlete completed the grueling race, which comprises of a 1.9km swim, 90km bike ride, and 21.1km run, with a total time of 3 hours and 32 minutes. Geens, who moved to Australia with his family only weeks prior, triumphed over New Zealander Hayden Wilde and Frenchman Leo Bergère, both of whom were silver and bronze medalists at the recent Paris Olympic Games.
The championship unfolded under ideal weather conditions, with Jelle Geens coming out of the water tenth, 34 seconds behind American ex-swimmer Greg Harper who led the swimming leg. With the fastest transition of the day, Geens quickly made his way to the sixth position on the bike. Throughout the 90 kilometers of cycling, he firmly established himself within the lead group of eight triathletes, including Wilde and Bergère.
During the half-marathon, Wilde started strong, initially pulling away from Geens by 50 seconds. Yet, Geens adeptly paced himself, gradually gaining ground as the race progressed. “I felt good; I knew my form was solid,” Geens reflected post-race. He emphasized the psychological boost he received from the earlier Paris Olympic Games scenario, where he had witnessed Wilde drifting down to second place. This motivation spurred him on during the challenging run.
With just three kilometers left to the race, Jelle Geens made his decisive move, overtaking Hayden Wilde, who began to falter. “I had to hope Wilde would overextend himself,” Geens said, reliving the moment of his victory as his legs began to scream with fatigue. By crossing the finish line, Geens not only completed the race but secured his place as the first Belgian world champion at this distance. He finished 1 minute and 13 seconds before Wilde, with Bergère trailing closely behind at around 2 minutes and 59 seconds.
Geens' victory not only marks his personal achievement but also adds to Belgium's rising reputation in triathlon racing. Earlier this year, Marten Van Riel won the T100 Triathlon World Championship, showcasing the country’s growing prowess in the sport. Geens acknowledged, “It’s great for Belgium; we now have two world champions,” encapsulating the shared professional milestones among Belgian triathletes.
Reflecting on his recent experiences, Geens faced considerable setbacks at the Paris Olympics, where he ranked 22nd, which he considered disappointing. “That was tough, but it made me mentally stronger,” he noted. The transition from Olympic distance events to the longer formats seems to have paid off significantly, leading to his extraordinary triumph.
The future looks promising, as Geens aims to compete at higher levels, perhaps even targeting the full Ironman races down the line. His success at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship confirms his ability to handle pressure and perform at elite levels following significant change, including his relocation to Australia.
Geens’ response to his win is reflective of the harrowing race experience. “It was a crazy day,” he proclaimed post-race. This was not only about personal glory; it’s about boosting national morale. The rising stars from Belgium, like Geens and Van Riel, pave the way for future generations and inspire other athletes to pursue their ambitions fearlessly.
Overall, Sunday’s achievement will resonate deeply within the Belgian sporting community and beyond, marking Geens’ victory as both historic and symbolic of the continued growth and potential of triathlon within Belgium. The award ceremony witnessed joyful celebrations, as Geens stood atop the podium, embodying the spirit of tenacity and hope for all aspiring athletes.
