The Bahrain Victorious 13 added more silverware over the weekend with podium finishes across both the T100 Triathlon World Tour in Valencia, Spain and the Supertri League in Jersey, keeping championship ambitions firmly in play.
On Saturday in Valencia, Jelle Geens produced a gutsy silver-medal performance in the T100 Triathlon World Tour. Despite an early bike crash, he surged to the front on the run and battled for the win before crossing the line second, a result that also consolidates his #2 ranking in the series. Vincent Luis placed 12th after serving a penalty for leaving equipment outside his transition box, while India Lee fought through to finish 7th in the women’s field.
The following day in Jersey, the Bahrain Victorious 13-supported Crown Racing team overcame roster changes, penalties, and the frenetic supersprint format to secure two more podiums: bronze for Georgia Taylor-Brown in the women’s race and silver for Vasco Vilaça in the men’s.
Taylor-Brown, racing alongside Emma Jeffcoat, Miriam Casillas Garcia, and last-minute local substitute Siena Stephens, recovered from a sluggish opening swim to drive the pace on the bike and move into contention across the three back-to-back swim-bike-run legs. She ultimately settled for third behind Jeanne Lehair and Leonie Periault, who benefited from a Short Chute advantage. Casillas Garcia finished 8th, while Jeffcoat and Stephens were eliminated under the 90-second rule.
“I know my running’s not there compared to Jeanne and Leonie, so I just thought I’m gonna have to try and drill it on the bike and break the groups up which I think I did. But it just wasn’t quite enough today,” said Taylor-Brown post-race. “This is my fifth race in five weeks so I’m definitely getting a bit tired now, but I think I am getting a bit sharper.”
In the men’s race, Vilaça fought through a chaotic opening swim and bike leg to stay in the mix, earning a Short Chute after a strong first run. He avoided the crashes that derailed several contenders, including teammate Charles Paquet, but a five-second penalty for not placing his goggles inside his transition box proved costly. He crossed the line in second behind Csongor Lehmann. Roberto Sanchez Mantecon placed 8th, while Charles Batista was eliminated.
“After Toronto I knew I needed a short chute. The swim didn’t start very well but I worked hard on the bike and the first run, and everything seemed to be working fine,” Vilaça reflected. “I just did what I could. I ran as fast as I could, took my penalty, took my Short Chute, and that last lap was really all out.”
With those results, Crown Racing holds second in the overall series standings on 225 points, while Taylor-Brown sits third and Vilaça second individually heading into the double-points finale in Toulouse in two weeks’ time.
