Challenge Malta 2022 Results: Heldoorn, Thoes top the podiums

Chief Correspondent
Epic triathlon adventures await with Challenge Family
LEARN MORE

First announced in November 2021, the debut edition of Challenge Malta took place on Sunday 15 May.

A relatively small entry saw Germany and Netherlands top the Pro Women and Men’s podiums, respectively.


Thoes chases down Sainter

Despite exiting the water three minutes down on Great Britain’s Chantal Sainter (nee Cummings) and Margi Santimaria (ITA), Germany’s Svenja Thoes – winner of Challenge Sardinia back in 2018 – was able to fight back to top spot.

She halved her deficit to the British athlete on the bike – overtaking Santimaria in the process – and then with a closing run of 1:20:31, sealed the deal to catch Chantal and eventually cross the line with a winning margin of around seven and half minutes.

Keeping it in the family

The name Niek Heldoorn (NED) is likely a new name for almost all of you – but the surname may ring a few bells. Niek’s father, Frank Heldoorn won IRONMAN UK (Sherbourne) in 2006, was twice a winner at IRONMAN Lanzarote and finished in the top-10 in Kona, three-times.

Those genes were put to good use on Sunday, when Niek exited the swim in a leading group with Caleb Noble (AUS) and Ognjen Stojanovic (SRB). Kristian Grue (NOR) powered through on the bike to join Heldoorn and Noble starting the run. Never much between them over the half marathon, the Dutch athlete was finally able to close out the win by just 20 seconds.

Advertisements

Challenge Malta 2022 Results

Sunday 15 May 2022

PRO Men

  • 1. Niek Heldoorn (NED) – 3:44:58
  • 2. Kristian Grue (NOR) – 3:45:18
  • 3. Caleb Noble (AUS) – 3:46:00
  • 4. Ognjen Stojanovic (SRB) – 3:48:08
  • 5. Kristian Rød (NOR) – 3:49:19
Challenge Malta 2022 podium men

PRO Women

  • 1. Svenja Thoes (GER) – 4:17:17
  • 2. Chantal Sainter (GBR) – 4:24:44
  • 3. Margie Santimaria (ITA) – 4:29:50
  • 4. Valentina D’Angeli (ITA) – 4:39:17
  • 5. Dominique Lothaller (AUT) – 4:56:40
Challenge Malta 2022 podium women
John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Latest News
Kate Waugh WTCS Grand Finals Pontevedra 2023
Kate Waugh homes in on Paris 2024 Olympic dream after WTCS Finals Pontevedra success
Alex Yee WTCS Pontevedra 2023
Alex Yee reacts after ‘cruel game’ delivers bitter WTCS Finals disappointment in Pontevedra
Matt Hauser at WTCS Finals Pontevedra.
Matt Hauser goes from COVID to qualified after claiming Paris 2024 spot in Pontevedra
Simon Henseleit wins World U23 Championships in Pontevedra
WTCS Finals Pontevedra: German delight as Henseleit and Klamt take World U23 titles
Beth Potter WTCS Grand Finals Pontevedra 2023
Beth Potter opens up on her journey to the top after capping ‘dream season’ with a world title