IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion Jelle Geens has provided more information on his DNF at the T100 World Tour opener in Singapore.
The Belgian came into the race as one of the favourites to lift the crown in Marina Bay, but the middle-distance star was unable to finish the race, calling it a day early on the 18km run. Olympic silver medallist Hayden Wilde of New Zealand produced an sensational run to take victory.
Geens struggled to contend from the off, setting a modest 24:32 swim split – around 45 seconds down from those at the head of the race. A middle-of-the-pack bike leg failed to bring him into contention, with the 32-year-old pulling out on the run.
Cramping issues halt T100 bid
A T100 race victor in Las Vegas in 2024, Geens was left to rue what could have been as he explained the health-related issues he had suffered in the energy-sapping Singapore heat.
“Had a hard day yesterday at @t100triathlon Singapore,” Geens wrote on Instagram.
“Unfortunately had to DNF after massive stomach cramps on the run. Had some stomach issues already towards the end of the bike and beginning of the run but it was manageable. Sadly after the downhill on the run my stomach started cramping really bad and I just couldn’t run anymore.”
“Anyways stuff like this only happens when you are not having your best day. It’s only the beginning of the season and we have a long year ahead of us! Eight weeks until T100 San Francisco but first some easy days with the family!
“Congrats to the guys in front and everyone that finished the race, it was absolutely brutal.”
Time on his side
Geens will have plenty of opportunities to regain ground in the Race To Qatar, with that next event on the series in San Francisco on 31 May.
He will still go there having won three of his last four middle-distance races – 70.3 Geelong in March, the 70.3 Worlds last December and T100 Lake Las Vegas before that.
