Marten Van Riel and Jessica Learmonth sweep the IRONMAN 70.3 Nice 2025

On June 29th the HOMBRE DE HIERRO 70.3 Nice 2025, one of the most anticipated tests of the calendar international medium distance.

With a high-level lineup and favorable conditions in the south of France, Marten Van Riel (BEL) and Jess Learmonth (GBR) took a clear victory that allows them to look with confidence to the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Marbella.

Van Riel dominates from start to finish

The Belgian, reigning T100 world champion, took advantage of the New Zealander's absence Kyle Smith, who had retired due to a bike crash a few days earlier, to set the pace from the water. He started in the front group with 13 other triathletes, led by Michele Bortolamedi (ITA), and it didn't take long for him to break away from the race on the bike. Halfway through the segment, he was already riding solo.

At T2, Van Riel had a lead of more than three minutes over Bortolamedi and managed his half marathon with a solid 1:12:56, closing his performance with a total time of 4:01:48.

Vicente Hernández, put in a solid performance in Nice, placing in the top 5 of a race with a very high international level.

In the race on foot, Vicente He knew how to manage his forces wisely, without letting himself be carried away by attacks. His final time, 4:07:57, allowed him to seal a valuable fifth place and demonstrate that it remains competitive at the highest level in the middle distance.

Learmonth debuts in middle distance running after motherhood

In the women's race, Jess Learmonth, an Olympic gold medalist with Team GB at Tokyo 2021, achieved her first victory in the middle distance. After leaving the water alongside the Spanish Sara Perez Living Room, increased his pace in the cycling segment to reach T2 with more than four minutes of margin.

During the first few kilometers of the half marathon, the British woman lost some time, but she remained calm and extended her lead again from the 5-kilometer mark.

Finally, he crossed the finish line in 4:39:54, almost three minutes ahead of Sandra Huon (FRA), who climbed to second place. The podium was completed Anne-Sophie Pierre (FRA).

Sara Pérez Sala once again demonstrated why she is one of the best swimmers on the international circuit. She left the water practically at the same time as Jess Learmonth, setting the pace from the first meter and leaving the rest of the group behind with authority.

Her transition was swift, and she held firm on the cycling segment, riding in the lead for much of the race. However, the accumulated effort took its toll in the half marathon, where she couldn't maintain her pace against the surging French athletes.

Nonetheless, Sara crossed the finish line in a creditable fourth position, with a final time of 4:44:16, just 15 seconds behind the podium.

RIRONMAN 70.3 Nice 2025 results – PRO Women

IRONMAN 70.3 Nice 2025 Results – PRO Men