Pro Preview: Battle Lines Drawn for Ironman 70.3 Geelong Pro Series Opener
Geelong hosts 65 elite triathletes including 70.3 World Champion Geens and seven-time podium finisher Thek as the 2025 Ironman Pro Series begins this Sunday.
The 2025 Ironman Pro Series kicks off this Sunday, 23rd March, at Ironman 70.3 Geelong with an impressive lineup of pros set to tackle Victoria's premier 70.3 course. With world champions, Olympians and local favorites among the 65 professionals competing, this season opener promises exceptional performances as they vie for crucial series points and a share of the $1.7 million (USD) season-long prize purse.
Men's Race: World Champion Leads Olympic-Caliber Field
Reigning Ironman 70.3 World Champion Jelle Geens headlines the men's field, making his Geelong debut in what will be his first race since claiming the world title in New Zealand last December.
"I'm just really looking forward to that first race of the season," said Geens, a Belgium-born, Gold Coast-based triple Olympian. "The build-up towards that first race is a long process with lots of steps. I'm eager to start the season and see where I'm at."
Geens enters the race with confidence after his breakthrough 2024 season but acknowledges the pressure that comes with success. "I come in with a mark on my back winning the Taupō race, but in the end not much has changed. I still just want to enjoy racing and try to win the race, of course."
The men's field features an impressive Olympic pedigree with six athletes who have represented their countries at the Games. Australian stars Jake Birtwhistle and Matt Hauser will be among those challenging Geens.
Birtwhistle, who won on his Ironman 70.3 debut in Tasmania in 2023 and took second at Ironman 70.3 Melbourne last year, feels prepared for the challenge. "It's always hard to know how things are going for the first race of the year, but I'm really looking forward to getting out there and racing," he said. "My training has been going pretty well, things all seem to be progressing and moving in the right direction."
Perhaps the most intriguing storyline involves two-time Olympian Matt Hauser making his Ironman 70.3 debut. Having finished seventh at the Paris Olympics – Australia's best Olympic triathlon result since Athens 2004 – Hauser is testing longer distances in his post-Olympic season.
Shawn Smith
"I'm feeling excited for the challenge more than anything," said Hauser. "It's an itch I want to scratch, and in an explorative year post-Olympics, I can't wait to see how I fare over the middle distance and test my body before a big season ahead. Having an opportunity to race the world champ Jelle in my debut Ironman 70.3 race is an exciting challenge that I can't wait to face."
Defending champion Sam Osborne returns looking to repeat his breakthrough 2024 victory, while Finland's Henrik Goesch (third in 2024) also aims for another podium finish. The field is rounded out with established Ironman athletes including New Zealand's Braden Currie, Australia's Cameron Wurf and Olympian Aaron Royle (Geens' podcast co-host), creating a diverse mix of racing styles and strengths.
"I'm expecting some fireworks," said Hauser. "It's the first race of the season, let alone the Ironman Pro Series, so expect some guys going out there to make some statements early."
Women's Race: Berry and Thek Lead Strong Australasian Contingent
New Zealand's Hannah Berry enters as the top-seeded female, returning to a venue where she claimed victory in 2020.
"I'm feeling great, I've had a great first block of training for 2025, focusing on the half distance," said Berry. "I've seen some good progress in training across the last six to seven weeks, so I hope I can show that on Sunday."
Berry will face stiff competition from Melbourne's Grace Thek, who brings an extraordinary record of consistency at this event. Thek has raced at Geelong every year since 2018 and remarkably finished on the podium each time, including a victory in 2023.
"Seven consecutive years, seven podiums," reflected Thek. "For me, Geelong is the place where it all started with my first pro race and first Ironman 70.3 back in 2018. There is a sense of nostalgia but also me not wanting to break the streak."
As a Melbourne local, Thek values racing close to home. "I love racing in Australia, and being from Melbourne, this is the closest Ironman 70.3 to home. Given I'm on the road for so much of the year, it is special to race in front of family and friends, and alongside the local tri community."
Another athlete to watch is Milan Agnew, who made an impressive Ironman 70.3 debut last September by winning at Sunshine Coast.
"The Sunshine Coast was a great confidence boost for me," said Agnew. "At the same time, I've noticed that this can often bring increased self-pressure, which I'm actively working on. I'm just reminding myself that this is just the beginning of what I hope to be a long enjoyable year."
The women's field also features several former short-course specialists making the transition to longer racing, including Paris 2024 Olympic representative Natalie Van Coevorden, fellow Australian Charlotte McShane, and Great Britain's Jodie Stimpson.
Canberra-based Penny Slater brings impressive credentials as the top Australian finisher at last year's Ironman World Championship, while Regan Hollioake enters with momentum after claiming victory at Ironman New Zealand earlier this month.
"It'll be a really strong race on Sunday," predicted Berry. "There's a good mix of athletes racing, including some moving up from the shorter distance racing who will no doubt bring some speed and who I haven't raced before, along with a few athletes I've raced plenty of times before who I know are hard to try and beat."
Course Factors That Could Decide The Race
Geelong's course presents several challenging elements that could prove decisive for both men's and women's races:
- The Swim Start: The 1.9km swim in Port Phillip Bay can be affected by morning glare during the outbound leg, potentially creating sighting challenges for those without properly tinted goggles.
- Wind Conditions: The exposed sections along Geelong-Port Arlington Road become tactical battlegrounds when crosswinds pick up. Athletes experienced in handling bikes in gusty conditions will have a significant advantage.
- The Undulations: While not massive by international standards, the steady undulations throughout the bike course tend to separate the field, especially on the second lap when fatigue sets in.
- Run Course Heat: If temperatures rise, the limited shade on portions of the run course could dramatically affect performance. Heat management will be crucial for all athletes, with particular impact on international competitors not acclimated to Australian conditions.
- Local Knowledge: Those with previous experience at Geelong, like Thek and Berry, understand the course nuances that can make the difference between a good race and a great one.
"Geelong will be a great race to show to the rest of world," noted Berry. "The course is a really fun one to race and is beautiful, especially the run course along the waterfront. I'm sure it will encourage more athletes to come and race here in the future."
An Exciting Opener to the Ironman Pro Series
With the eyes of the triathlon world focused on Geelong via the global broadcast, this Pro Series opener represents an opportunity for athletes to make early statements in what promises to be an exciting 2025 season.
In the men's race, Geens enters as the favourite but faces questions about his early-season form. Hauser's raw speed makes him an intriguing prospect, while Birtwhistle and defending champion Osborne have proven they can excel at this distance and venue. Wildcard has to go to Jimmy Wheelan.
Shawn Smith
For the women, the battle between Berry and Thek highlights two athletes with past success at Geelong, while Agnew's impressive 70.3 debut suggests she could challenge the established order. The influx of short-course specialists adds another layer of unpredictability to the race dynamics.
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