Search
shop

WTCS Abu Dhabi results: Jelle Geens strikes gold

A frustrating year for Belgium's Jelle Geens ended on a high note today when he ran to victory at WTCS Abu Dhabi
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

The Elite Men were first up at Friday’s World Triathlon Championship Series Abu Dhabi, held in and around the Yas Marina F1 circuit.

17 men would start the final 5km run together, with two athletes who had Olympic Games frustrations to exorcise taking gold and silver, plus a first-time WTCS medallist completing the podium.

Geens gains victory on the run

The swim – non-wetsuit of course – in the bath-like water of Yas Marina saw the predictable sight of twice World Champion Vincent Luis lead the way with just Marc Devay (HUN) able to stay with him. Luis might not have been in his best form in 2021 but his swimming has been flawless all year.

There was a clear gap to the chasers – the Japanese pairing if Takumi Hojo and Kenji Nener leading the chaser around eight seconds back but it was unlikely to be enough for two athletes to form a breakaway on the F1 circuit course given the quality of athletes chasing.

That would prove to be the case as the 20km unfolded, and less than 30 minutes later it would be a leading group of 17 reaching T2 together. Lots of quality in there too, with Luis, Geens, Hayden Wilde, Tyler Mislwchuk plus WTCS Hamburg winner Tim Hellwig amongst them.

So late in in the season, it was all up for grabs and predicting form in November is something of a lottery. Gordon Benson and Sam Dickinson lead in the chase group – but 40 seconds back, nobody from that pack was going to be threatening the podium on Friday.

One lap of the run and 2.5km in, 17 athletes had been reduced to five – Wilde, Luis, Bence Bicsak (HUN), Geens and Antonia Serrat Seoane (ESP) as the pressure of the pace and heat of the UAE were starting to play their part.

Wilde was the first to fade, then Serrat Seoane next which left three – at which point Geens put in a significant surge of pace and that would prove decisive.

Luis has perhaps the strongest sprint finish in the sport, but that was not going to be enough to bridge back here, as the Belgian athlete secured his second WTCS victory, his first coming two years ago in Montreal. Having missed the individual race at the Olympic Games due to a positive COVID test, it was a positive way to end what had been a frustrating year.

Luis was more than content with silver – and very happy to see his training partner take the win – while Biscak achieved his best result to date in the top tier of the sport.

World Triathlon Championship Series Abu Dhabi 2021 Results

Friday November 5 2021 – ELITE MEN
750m / 20k / 5k

  • 1. Jelle Geens (BEL) – 52:21
  • 2. Vincent Luis (FRA) – 52:26
  • 3. Bence Biscak (HUN) – 52:29
  • 4. Pierre Le Corre (FRA) – 52:35
  • 5. Antonio Serrat Seoane (ESP) – 52:38
  • 6. Tyler Mislawchuk (CAN) – 52:42
  • 7. Vasco Vilaca (POR) – 52:47
  • 8. Hayden Wilde (NZL) – 52:55
  • 9. Kenji Nener (JPN) – 52:59
  • 10. Gabor Faldum (HUN) – 53:04
  • 17. Gordon Benson (GBR) – 53:40
  • 22. Samuel Dickinson (GBR) – 54:00

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.
Discover more
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
Ruth Astle finishing IRONMAN Vitoria 2024
PremiumHow to cope with a DNF: Elite athletes share their stories
PremiumIs your evening workout routine wrecking your recovery? Expert physiologist on how to improve recovery and what NOT to do
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
03/07/2025 - Tour de France 2025 - Grand départ Jour 2 - Lille - Présentation des équipes -Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma-Lease a Bike)
PremiumWhat triathletes can learn from the Tour de France pro peloton
latest News
Matthew Marquardt wins IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025
Matthew Marquardt reveals why he would do IRONMAN Lake Placid again “in a heartbeat”
Premium‘The difference from triathlon is so big – there’s no comparison’: Maya Kingma on life in the Women’s WorldTour peloton
Sam Laidlow wins IRONMAN Leeds 2025
Sam Laidlow hails ‘special’ IRONMAN Leeds crowd after one fan sign turned chiller into thriller
Alex Yee wins Super tri Toronto 2025
Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee says “I’ve still got it” after roaring back to action with terrific Toronto win
Superstar Hayden Wilde reveals decision day for potential comeback at T100 London
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.

£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

£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...