Marten Van Riel from Belgian and Taylor Knibb from the USA claim the inaugural T100 World Championship titles in the elite races Over 3,400 age group triathletes.
Government of Dubai Media Office – November 2024: His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), attended the highly anticipated Dubai T100 World Tour Final today at the Meydan Racecourse.
His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed watched the men’s professional race of the T100 World Tour Final witnessing a thrilling showcase of elite endurance sports. He praised the outstanding performance and dedication displayed by all participants competing for the prestigious title.
HH Sheikh Mansoor highlighted how the Dubai T100 World Tour Final demonstrates Dubai’s ability to host world-class international events, reinforcing its status as a global hub for sporting excellence. He also commended the successful organisation of the event, underlining its pivotal role in enhancing Dubai’s status as a leading destination for sports.
His Highness added that the success of such events reflects the expertise of the UAE’s national workforce, Dubai’s state-of-the-art facilities, and the city’s commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive sporting culture.
The men’s pro race was won by Marten Van Riel from Belgian, capping off a spectacular season of wins in San Francisco and Ibiza to win the World Title in Dubai in a time of 3 hours, 9 minutes and 17 seconds.
“I finally feel like I’m part of a gang here!” said newly-crowned T100 World Champion, Van Riel.
“It was honestly really tough, especially wearing that number 1, because in my head I knew that a podium place was good enough and if you have that in your head, it’s actually really hard to go for the win. So, I was trying to think not too much of the title and just try to perform as I could on the day.
“I think it was very good to have this goal…to do well in the T100 series this year. And to be able to do that has been kind of what has kept me on and not make me doubt too much for the Olympic Games, because I knew my shape was way, way, way, way better than what I showed there. Unfortunately, you have one day to show it.. but it was really good to not have the time to think about it too much and go straight into the T100 series and it’s definitely made for a great season.”
In yesterday’s women’s professional race, America’s Taylor Knibb showcased an exceptional performance, securing both the race victory and the overall series title, further establishing herself as a leading figure in the sport.
Van Riel and Knibb were presented their World Title trophies by His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Hareb – Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, Sam Renouf – CEO of the Professional Triathletes Organisations, and Antonio Arimany – President of World Triathlon.
Ahead of the elite men’s race, over 2,100 age-group triathletes competed on the same course as their sporting heroes in the 100km Age Group race. Representing 63 nationalities, the athletes were cheered on by thousands of spectators lining the venue and the vibrant Race Village.
In the women’s age-group category, Caroline Bridges from the UK claimed the top spot with an impressive finish time of 04:02:27. In the men’s age-group category, UAE resident Quentin Amaral took victory, crossing the finish line in 03:25:46.
Besides the racing, people also enjoyed the family-friendly entertainment and activities in the Race Village at the Meydan Racecourse, with brand activations, live music, spectator viewing platforms and delicious food.
