Search
shop

Upbeat Funk all in for top spot in Samorin as Varga set for fitting finale at The Championship

Third in 2023 and runner-up 12 months ago, is this the year that Frederic Funk finally nets the win in Challenge's middle-distance showpiece?
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Frederic Funk and Richard Varga were the centre of attention in the pre-race press conference ahead of Challenge Family’s The Championship on Sunday, which carries a professional prize purse of €100,000.

Funk is the clear favourite for the title at the Samorin showpiece as he looks to round off a sequence which has seen him come third in 2023 and second in 2024.

While sensational swimmer Varga, Slovakia’s most successful triathlete, is bowing out of the sport after an illustrious career.

Advertisement

Tough training block

The rankings may point to Funk but as the German pointed out: “I planned to win the last six times I was here!

“Let’s see how I feel on Sunday but I will definitely tackle the race to finally get the top spot.

“I trained two-and-a-half months in Noosa in heat and humidity then went to altitude for three weeks and came down yesterday. I am hoping that training in tough conditions for last few months will help my fitness.”

Frederic Funk The Championship press conference 2025
Frederic Funk ahead of The Championship [Photo credit: Activ’images / Bartek Syta]

In terms of how the race will pan out, one of Funk’s main rivals – Britain’s Tom Bishop – thinks the bike could be decisive.

He said: “I’ve studied the start list and it’s going to be a chase from start to finish. I know Fred’s going to make it hard on the bike and we’ve got some of the best swimmers in tri history here as well.”

Home favourite

That last line was surely referring to home favourite Varga, a longtime training partner of the Brownlees who would drive the pace in the early stages of countless ITU / WTCS races and represented his country at both the London and Rio Olympics.

Varga said: “Last year I felt like that’s it for me for racing, my body wasn’t having it anymore. I wanted to do my last race in Thailand but it wasn’t feeling right. It didn’t feel right to finish somewhere that is not home.

“This is the biggest race in Slovakia and what better way to finish with athletes like these, it’s a shame Johnny (Brownlee) isn’t here, we carry so many stories and experiences together.

“But to say goodbye with the people I’ve raced with for years is the best way to finish and it’s amazing to do it here at The Championship.”

Brownlee was an intended starter but was ruled out earlier this week through illness.

You can watch all the action unfold right here on TRI247 via this link – and here are our predictions for both the men’s and women’s podiums.

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Challenge Sardinia location
Let’s race… Challenge Forte Village Sardinia
Are calf sleeves actually worth it for triathletes? How many watts aero calf compression sleeves could save you
Laura Siddall Patagonman Xtreme Triathlon 2023
PremiumAre we in a triathlon boom, or hurtling towards burnout? Laura Siddall on the growth of the sport
Is sports nutrition bad for you? Ultra-processed foods are under siege, and athletes are caught in the cross fire – but should we be worried?
Challenge Barcelona 2023 - Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade
The ultimate city break triathlon race-cations: from Challenge Barcelona to Singapore T100 these are the best city centre races to combine multisport with sightseeing
latest News
Lucy Charles-Barclay Lola IRONMAN France 2024
Inside Lucy Charles-Barclay’s Kona journey – a year on from heartbreak in Nice
Laura Siddall day 2 Kona 2025 snapshot
Sid’s day two diary from Kona: The Knibb double act and other inspiring Age Groupers
Laura Philipp wins the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship in Nice, France
Champion Laura Philipp reveals new game plan ahead of Kona title defence
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 podium - Laura Philipp, Kat Matthews, Chelsea Sodaro
IRONMAN World Championship 2025 in Kona: Laura Siddall’s big-race preview and predictions
Hoala Training Swim Kona 2025 3
Sid’s day one diary from Kona: LCB shows who’s boss in Ho’ala Training Swim as excitement builds
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...