Search
shop

IRONMAN 70.3 World Champ heads to Geelong to kickstart 2025 season before T100 focus

The Belgian will be joined by podcast co-host Aaron Royle in the Australian race.
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

After the best year of his career in 2024, Jelle Geens will start his 2025 season at IRONMAN 70.3 Geelong on 23 March.

The Belgian triathlete capped a brilliant campaign with his IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship win in New Zealand, and will be looking to defend that title in Marbella a year on.

But first up is Geelong, which lies just outside Melbourne, in what is set to be a fiercer challenge than usual after it was named the opening event of the IRONMAN Pro Series for 2025.

Advertisement

Great practice for T100 schedule

Three-time Olympian Geens spoke about his preparation for the race on his podcast ‘All in Triathlon‘, co-hosted by his friend and fellow pro triathlete Aaron Royle, who will also be competing at Geelong.

“I need some more training,” Geens admitted. “You’ve [Royle] for sure had more training than me.

“I raced very late in the season, so I only started training around four weeks ago.”

Jelle Geens IRONMAN
2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion Jelle Geens (Photo – Getty Images for IRONMAN).

For Geens, who is currently living in Australia, the Geelong race is more about setting up the rest of his season after it was announced he would compete in the PTO’s T100 tour this year.

“It’s like a two-hour flight from here, it’s easy to get there and I think it’s good to get a race done before my main goal, Singapore and all the other T00 races,” Geens said.

“With T100 we’re going to have a lot of races two weeks after other races, so with Geelong and Singapore two weeks apart it’s a good chance to see how to manage those two weeks in between.”

Podcast rivalry

With Australian Olympian Royle also competing in Geelong, the two joked about what will be their first head-to-head since starting the podcast.

“We’re going to have to have some sort of prize on the line or something I think,” Royle joked.

“I believe in myself but I’m coming off maybe not my best year and you’re coming off your best year. I’m up against it, but i’m up for the fight!

“It’s the first Pro series race and two weeks before T100 Singapore so there might be some other people planning to do something like you [Geens].”

Challenge Barcelona 2023 - Photo Credit: Jose Luis Hourcade

“There’s going to be a few good guys,” Geens added.

“They probably want to announce it themselves maybe, but some good Aussies that live on the Gold Coast are doing it…”

“I’m looking forward to see who’s on the start line and who actually shows up. But it will be a fun first outing of the year.”

Patrick Ryan
Written by
Patrick Ryan
Patrick is a major contributor to TRI247 and RUN247. A keen hiker and wide experience in sports journalism, he has covered Olympics, Commonwealth Games.
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
Georgia Taylor Brown British Gravel Champs 2025 photo credit Red On Sports
Georgia Taylor-Brown heads to Supertri Jersey on back of SPECTACULAR gravel bike display
Ashleigh Gentle wins T100 French Riviera 2025
Spain T100 2025: Date, start time, how to watch live and who’s racing
Fred Funk race ranger red light
RaceRanger anti-drafting data to be published after all T100 races – with immediate effect
Kat Matthews wins IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See 2025
Five new locations announced as 2026 IRONMAN Pro Series calendar unveiled
Gwen Jorgensen World Triathlon Cup Miyazaki 2024 Results
‘Another three good years’ – Olympic champ Gwen Jorgensen WILL race on after surgery
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...