Istanbul delivered an exceptional championship weekend. With spectators and athletes from across Europe and Asia sharing one hub, the city on two continents became triathlon’s stage—fast, technical, and unforgettable.
Elite spotlight
Belgium’s Jolien Vermeylen is the new 2025 Europe Triathlon Champion (Standard Distance), sealing the title after a poised, all-round display. Earlier this season she captured the Sprint European Championship in Melilla, making her a double European champion in 2025. The battle for the medals was tight and dramatic. Diana Isakova (AIN) kept the pressure on to the line, finishing just seven seconds behind Vermeylen, while Tilly Anema (GBR) delivered an incredible, surprise performance to secure bronze a further three seconds back. Bianca Seregni (ITA) chased hard but missed the podium by 28 seconds, with Zuzana Michalickova (SVK) next home another 13 seconds later. It was championship racing decided by fine margins—exactly the way Istanbul’s course was designed to be.
In the elite men's race, Switzerland’s Max Studer timed his move to perfection on the run to claim the men’s European title, edging clear of Hungary’s Bence Bicsák by 21 seconds at the finish. Greece’s Panagiotis Bitados capped a superb day with bronze, 34 seconds off gold, while Great Britain’s Harry Leleu and Jack Willis followed within 38 and 43 seconds respectively. A compact front pack off the bike set up a furious finale—five athletes separated by less than three-quarters of a minute in a European Championship decided on run.
Age Group Sprint & Standard — Istanbul’s once-in-a-lifetime experience
The Age Group Sprint and Standard Championships turned Istanbul into a playground for our community. The Bosphorus was for triathletes—fully closed for the swim—and the bridge linking Asia and Europe was closed for the cycling segment so competitors could race across continents. It was the first-ever shared continental championships between Asia and Europe, and the atmosphere matched the moment: thousands of athletes, families, and clubs experiencing championship racing in an iconic city. An incredible experience all around—our heartfelt thanks to the Turkish Triathlon Federation and everyone involved for delivering a weekend we’ll talk about for years.
One city, two continents: building bridges
Beyond the elite crowns, the combined programme brought age-group athletes into the same arena, sharing call-ups, finish lines, and stories. Istanbul showed what our sport does best: unite people, challenge limits, and celebrate every athlete from first to last. We extend sincere thanks to the Local Organising Committee, the Turkish Triathlon Federation, officials, volunteers, partners, and the fans who lined every lap. Istanbul proved to be the perfect host for a landmark edition—a great event in an iconic city—and a fitting stage to crown our 2025 European champions.