Challenge Salou results 2025: Anne Haug a DNF as Curridori and Davis claim brilliant wins

Elisabetta Curridori and Tom Davis claimed brilliant wins at Challenge Salou on Sunday as former IRONMAN World Champion Anne Haug was a DNF on her seasonal debut.

All eyes were on the superstar German as she took to the start line for the first time in 2025, but sadly she did not make it to the finish line in perfect conditions in Catalonia.

Instead it was Britain’s Davis and Italy’s Curridori who topped the pro podiums in emotional scenes to mark the 10th anniversary of this race.

Pro Women – Curridori rules after Haug exit

There were no surprises early in the race as Rosie Weston (GBR) exited the water with a clear lead, but behind her she had a strong group that included Haug (GER), Curridori and Marlene de Boer (NED).

Haug quickly showed her dominance on the bike, taking an early lead which she continued to extend throughout the ride. Curridori remained in touch for the first half of the bike but by the time they reached T2, she was nearly two minutes down while de Boer had dropped to over three minutes from Haug.

But then it was all change as Haug withdrew from the race, never making out on the run and Curridori took the lead, a position that was never in danger throughout the 21km, taking the win in 3:59:35.

Behind her, de Boer maintained her second place, finishing in 4:05:02 while Spain’s Zaira Lorenzo took her first podium as a professional in third in 4:11:25.

It was a very emotional Curridori as she crossed the finish line, celebrating her first international victory since 2019.

“I think this is the best victory of my career,” she said.

“To win you need good preparation and a little bit of luck and today I had both, with Anne Haug unfortunately having to quit. It’s one of the those days when everything clicks in, I felt so good on the bike, I just ran tried to concentrate, just one step in front of the other. It was an amazing day, I am so happy!”

Challenge Salou 2025 Elisabetta Curridori Finish Line — Italy’s Elisabetta Curridori claims victory in the Pro Women race at Challenge Salou 2025 (Photo – Jose Luis Hourcade, Challenge Family).

Haug meanwhile revealed after the race that a foot injury she sustained on Friday had made taking on the run impossible.

Writing on her Instagram page, she said: “What a bumpy start into race season. Unfortunately injured my foot on Friday which made a run for me impossible. I’m so grateful that Challenge Salou and the whole Challenge Family made it possible to get me very spontaneous on the start line. What a great race and amazing organisation.

“I’m devastated that I was not able to do the race justice and I had to drop out after the bike.”

Pro Men – Davis prevails as rivals pay the penalty

A large group of 11 men exited the swim together, led by Jonathan Wayaffe (BEL) and Quentin Barreau (FRA). It didn’t take long for three riders to assert their dominance and break away from the group with Davis leading the charge, followed by Barreau and Wayaffe in third, reaching speeds of up to 60kph on this course renowned for its speed.

Throughout the ride, Davis stuck to his plan, barely acknowledging the company behind him. Coming off the bike together, it emerged that both Wayaffe and Barreau had picked up drafting penalties for infringement of the 20m drafting rule implemented at Challenge Family races, giving Davis a clear start on the run.

Barreau took to the run course in second after a two-minute delay, while Wayaffe, had to wait four minutes before he could take up the chase. This delay meant Hugo Figueiredo (ESP) had a chance to catch him and indeed overtake Wayaffe early on in the run.

However, Wayaffe, managed to hold him off and the race results reflected the positions held pretty much throughout the full 113km. Davis took the win in 3:34:28, Barreau in second in 3:35:34 with Wayaffe in third in 3:36:34.

“It’s a race I really enjoy. After two third places to get first today, I’m over the moon, I couldn’t have asked for more,” said Davis.

“I felt good and I knew I was moving well – my tactic was to try and get away from the group and that worked. It’s always special when you win a race and to win the 10th anniversary is the icing on the cake!”