Youri Keulen's Extraordinary Victory at T100 Singapore Triathlon
Dutch triathlete Youri Keulen defied the odds as a wild card entry, claiming a remarkable win at the T100 Singapore triathlon.
In a remarkable display of determination and skill, Dutch triathlete Youri Keulen conquered the T100 Singapore triathlon, crossing the finish line in an impressive time of 3:40:37. Keulen's winning time was 1:37 ahead of second-place finisher Sam Long (3:42:14) and 4:05 faster than third-place Peter Heemeryck (3:44:42). What made Keulen's performance even more astonishing was the fact that he was a wild card entry, having just missed out on the rankings required to secure a spot on the T100 Tour.
The race began with a thrilling swim leg, where Josh Amberger set a blistering pace, while Sam Laidlow found himself separated from the main pack. Keulen, sporting his distinctive orange swim cap, maintained a strong position within the top 10, exiting the water in eighth place with a swim split of 27:15, just 1:45 behind the leader.
As the athletes transitioned to the bike, Keulen wasted no time making his move. With a well-executed transition, including strategically placing ice in his trisuit, Keulen quickly joined the leading group. It was on the challenging hills and technical sections of the bike course where Keulen truly shone. His relentless pace and tactical decisions saw him break away from the likes of Alistair Brownlee and Kyle Smith, establishing a lead that would prove insurmountable.
Meanwhile, Sam Long, who had exited the swim in 18th place, 4:03 behind the leader, began his charge through the field. Long's incredible bike split of 1:58:25, just 13 seconds slower than Keulen's, propelled him into contention. Other notable performances on the bike included Kyle Smith, who rode strongly to stay within striking distance of the leaders, and David McNamee, who quietly worked his way up the field.
As the athletes entered the run leg, Keulen's lead looked commanding, but the challenging conditions and the pursuit of strong runners like Sam Long meant that the race was far from over. Long, known for his blistering run speed, gradually chipped away at Keulen's advantage, while Kyle Smith and Peter Heemeryck battled for the final podium spot.
Further down the field, David McNamee put on a running masterclass, recording the second-fastest run split of the day (1:11:57) to work his way up to an impressive fourth-place finish. Mika Noodt, who had been in contention for a podium spot, faded in the latter stages of the run, ultimately crossing the line in sixth.
The run course also saw its share of drama, with pre-race favourite Alistair Brownlee, who had incurred a 30-second penalty for stepping on the dismount line in transition, succumbing to an ankle injury that forced him to withdraw from the race.
As Keulen approached the finish line, his lead had been reduced by Long's relentless pursuit, but the Dutchman's resolve never wavered. With a final surge of energy, Keulen crossed the line, collapsing to the ground in a mixture of elation and exhaustion. His winning margin of 1:37 over Long was a testament to his pacing, mental strength, and the flawless execution of his race strategy.
The top 10 finishers showcased the depth of talent and the fierce competition that characterised the T100 Singapore.
- Youri Keulen (NED) - 3:40:37
- Sam Long (USA) - 3:42:14
- Peter Heemeryck (BEL) - 3:44:42
- David McNamee (GBR) - 3:45:28
- Kyle Smith (NZL) - 3:46:05
- Mika Noodt (GER) - 3:46:43
- Aaron Royle (AUS) - 3:47:12
- Kasper Stornes (NOR) - 3:48:01
- Frederic Funk (GER) - 3:48:35
- Josh Amberger (AUS) - 3:49:11
