Marten van Riel leads all-star field T100 Singapore

Marten Van Riel will lead an all-star cast in Singapore after the PTO announced the contracted male athletes who will toe the line on Sunday 5 April for the first T100 race of the season.

The Belgian star will go into the T100 Singapore as favourite after being crowned the T100 World Champion last year, but can expect stiff competition everywhere he looks along the start line at the stunning Marina Bay swim course.

Especially his old Olympic adversary Hayden Wilde, who is relishing the opportunity to step up in distance and take him on in the T100 series for the first time.

“The thing I’m looking forward to about racing the T100 series is probably being strong in all three disciplines,” said the New Zealander, who won silver at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. “So obviously the 20 meter 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 [Van Riel]. 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 gonna 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.”

But this is far from a two triathlete race. Defending Singapore T100 Triathlon champion, Dutchman Youri Keulen, who claimed his first win on the series here last year in dramatic fashion – when he collapsed after breaking the tape – is looking forward to defending his title: “I’m really looking forward to coming back to Singapore. It’s a place that is close to my heart and I have good memories from. 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.”

Van Riel’s compatriot Jelle Geens is a dark horse for the world title in many people’s eyes having been the only person to beat him last term, as a Wildcard. Having earned a full contract for 2025, Geens will be looking to put down an early marker in the Lion City.

Geens has already ruffled a few American feathers by questioning the Hot Shot credentials of Morgan Pearson. Unsurprisingly, Pearson has singled out Geens as someone he’s looking forward to taking on. He has also highlighted that a winner in Singapore could come from anywhere.

“The T100 series is a race around the world at the highest level of competition and that’s something that I’m extremely attracted to,” explained Pearson. “Standing on the starting line and looking left and looking to the right and thinking, if I win this race, I’m basically the best in the world today. I just love that feeling.”

“I’m also excited to race Jelle Geens. We’ve got that beef, everyone wants to see it, I guess. He’s a great athlete…but I think he’s underestimated me.”

Returning from a hugely impressive second place in the overall 2024 series is another Kiwi, Kyle Smith, who has been vocal about his determination to make it to the top step in a T100 race very soon. Not forgetting American fan favourite Sam Long, who dramatically went from last out of the water to second place in 2024 despite the hot and humid conditions in Singapore and will surely also be eyeing his first T100 win.

The eighteen contracted T100 men racing are listed below:

Morgan Pearson (USA)

Marten Van Riel (BEL)

Kyle Smith (NZL)

Jelle Geens (BEL)

Sam Long (USA)

Mika Noodt (GER)

Rico Bogen (GER)

Youri Keulen (NED)

Mathis Margirier (FRA)

Justus Nieschlag (GER)

Fred Funk (GER)