The men’s race at the upcoming London T100 on August 9 is shaping up to be one of the most compelling battles yet in the 2025 T100 Triathlon World Tour. With Round 4 of the series landing in the heart of the British capital, all eyes are on a densely stacked field – and one potential comeback story that could steal the spotlight.
The start list is loaded with talent, headlined by current PTO #1 and reigning 70.3 World Champion Jelle Geens, 2023 70.3 World Champion and 2025 T100 San Francisco winner Rico Bogen, and consistent podium-finisher Mika Noodt. The race also marks a potential emotional turning point for fans and athletes alike: Hayden Wilde, who stunned the triathlon world with a dominant T100 debut win in Singapore, is unexpectedly listed to start – just months after a crash that many feared might end his season, or even his career.
Geens, Bogen, and Noodt Lead the Charge
Leading the list of contenders is Jelle Geens, who enters London with serious momentum. With wins at Ironman 70.3 Geelong and T100 Vancouver, and a second place finish at T100 San Francisco, Geens has been nearly untouchable, except for the cramps that derailed his race in Singapore. His greatest weapon? His run. Over 18km, only Morgan Pearson has matched his leg speed this year, and Pearson isn’t racing in London.
Adding emotional fuel to his fire, Geens recently opened up about the challenges of balancing racing with fatherhood. After spending three weeks away for San Francisco and Vancouver, he returned home to find his young daughter had already changed, with enhanced vocabulary.
“When I came home, Sienna knew so many more words, and she’s so vocal now,” he shared in his post-Vancouver YouTube video. “Even in those three weeks, she evolved so much…so yeah, I think from now on they will come with me to Europe and I won’t have to leave them behind for so long anymore, which is good, which I’m glad for.” This means that for London he may have his wife and daughter with him, adding both emotional support and motivation as he chases the top step of the podium.
Challenging Geens is Rico Bogen, arguably the most dominant cyclist on the T100 tour this season. With the top bike split in all three T100s so far – Singapore, San Francisco, and Vancouver – Bogen is a real threat to break away early. His commanding win in San Francisco, where he held off the field (including Jelle Geens) by nearly two minutes, was a reminder that when his legs are on, few can close the gap.
Fellow German Mika Noodt continues to impress with consistency. Third place finishes in both San Francisco and Vancouver, plus a podium at the 2024 T100 Ibiza, have cemented his reputation as one of the most reliable racers over this distance. But it’s not just his results earning attention, it’s also his personality.
After San Francisco, T100’s Instagram featured a mid-race exchange between Mika and Marten van Riel: “Come on, one turn, we can catch him!” Mika urged, with Marten replying, “I don’t think we can, bro!” The moment was equal parts tactical and entertaining, making fans wish for more mic’d-up moments. Add to that Mika’s signature move: unleashing his long blond locks just before the finish line to strike the perfect finishing photo – because if you’re going to podium, you might as well do it in style.
Kyle Smith – Looking for a Breakthrough
New Zealand’s Kyle Smith might be the most overdue for a win. He came heartbreakingly close in T100 San Francisco 2024, where he was part of a photo-finish for the top spot, and again in T100 London 2024, where he delivered a gutsy chase of Sam Laidlow, ultimately finishing just 25 seconds behind. With a string of strong performances and near misses, Smith has consistently been in the mix. He just needs one perfect day to finally step onto the top of the podium.
Who’s Missing – And What It Means
The London race will unfold without a major name: Marten van Riel, PTO #2 and current T100 Series leader. His absence makes movement at the top of the standings almost inevitable, particularly for Jelle Geens (2nd), Rico Bogen (3rd), and Mika Noodt (4th). However, with athletes only counting their top four regular-season results toward their season-end score, there will be opportunities for Marten and others to climb back up as the season progresses.
Also missing will be fan-favourite Sam Long and a storyline many fans love to follow: his ever-evolving swim and quest to chase his way back into the race throughout the bike and run.
And Then There’s Hayden Wilde…
Just months ago, few expected to see Hayden Wilde back on the start list this season, let alone this soon. After winning the T100 Singapore race in dominant fashion, Wilde’s season came to a sudden halt. Hours after setting a 10km personal best (27:39), he was struck by a truck while training. The accident resulted in a punctured lung, six broken ribs, and a shattered scapula. At the time, Wilde described the situation as “essentially career threatening.”
Yet somehow, he’s back – maybe. His name appears on the London start list, though it remains unconfirmed whether he’ll actually line up. In his June 22 YouTube update, Wilde hinted at a potential return to racing in “August or September,” making his inclusion in London a possible though ambitious comback attempt.
If he does race, it would be one of the most remarkable returns in recent memory and inject a huge wildcard into the London dynamics. Wilde, the 2024 Olympic and 70.3 silver medalist, is one of triathlon’s most electrifying talents. If his body holds up, despite limited training, he could surprise even the sharpest of analysts.
Final Word: Expect the Unexpected
With many of the sport’s biggest names and Hayden Wilde possibly returning, the London’s T100 men’s race has all the ingredients for drama, unpredictability, and world-class racing.
Stay tuned for complete race results and in-depth analysis once the action unfolds.
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