Hayden Wilde and Taylor Knibb crowned Ironman 70.3 world champions in Nice
New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde and American Taylor Knibb have been crowned Ironman 70.3 world champions in Nice, following a weekend of racing along the Côte d’Azur.
Wilde claimed his first Ironman 70.3 World Championship title on Sunday after a closely fought men’s race, while Knibb dominated the women’s event on Saturday to secure her fourth world title and set a new course record.
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The Nice course featured a 1.9km swim, a 93km bike ride and a 21km run, with the men’s title remaining open until the closing stages.
Wilde wins after dramatic battle
A large group of favourites emerged from the swim close together before several athletes broke away during the cycling leg.
Wilde made up almost a minute on the climb towards the Col de Vence to join the leaders, but the small gaps meant the race would ultimately be decided on the half-marathon.
Defending champion Jelle Geens and Norway’s Kristian Blummenfelt both produced impressive comebacks during the run, but Wilde managed to create enough of a gap in the final kilometres to hold them off.
He crossed the finish line in around 3 hours and 50 minutes, just 18 seconds ahead of Blummenfelt, with Geens completing the podium.
Simon Viain was the leading French professional, finishing 13th in 3:56:50, his best result at an Ironman 70.3 World Championship.
Knibb claims fourth world title
The women’s race on Saturday was far more dominant, with Taylor Knibb winning her fourth Ironman 70.3 world title following previous victories in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
The American was particularly strong on the bike, building a significant advantage over her rivals before completing the course in 4:19:24, setting a new Nice course record.
Switzerland’s Julie Derron finished second in 4:23:30, followed by compatriot Alanis Siffert in 4:25:10.
France’s Marjolaine Pierré was fifth.
More medals for French competitors
Beyond the professional field, the weekend also saw three French athletes secure world titles in their respective age categories.
Among them was Laurent Lambert of Monaco Triathlon, who won the M50-54 category in 4:38:57.
Christophe Batie took the M55-59 title, while Albert Dulac finished first in the M80-84 category.
There were further podium finishes for France, including second places for Antoine Viertaix in the M18-24 category and Robin Lemercier in the M25-29 category.
The weekend brought the final edition of the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Nice to a close, with Wilde and Knibb taking the two professional titles.