While the contracted start list already features some of the sport’s biggest stars, these late additions bring fresh energy, breakout potential, and compelling backstories. They’re not just here to race, they’re here to shake things up.
Here’s a closer look at three of the most exciting wildcard entries and why they might just upend the London leaderboard.
Jamie Riddle (RSA)
Jamie Riddle turned heads in his T100 debut in San Francisco this past May, delivering one of the most compelling performances of the season. Despite serving a penalty, he clawed back lost time to finish fifth, making him the highest-placing wildcard in the series so far.
“Best result of my life,” he reflected in a post-race YouTube video.
Riddle spoke candidly about why the T100 Series matters so much: “[There are] a lot more eyes on it. There’s more money, the competition is extremely high. Everyone wants to race this series because of the money, because of the viewership – so to get an opportunity is a really big deal. And yeah, I seized the moment.”
“I got a fifth – the highest-placed wildcard of the year thus far,” he continued. “Fifth place in the T100 – it’s an absolute dream, and hopefully that means I’ll be allowed back into another race very, very soon.”
Now, Riddle will get his wish. He’s been granted a second T100 start, and he’ll return to the series in London – this time with momentum, belief, and the eyes of the triathlon world upon him.
His San Francisco result wasn’t just a breakout – it was a signal that he can mix it up with the sport’s best. Add in his fifth-place finish at Ironman South Africa and a fourth in Cairns (where he also posted the fastest swim split of the day) and Riddle has proven he’s more than a one-race wonder. If he avoids a penalty in London, he could disrupt some of the sport’s biggest names and contend for the podium.
As he put it: “I’m just doing this because I love it. Man, there [are] a lot [of] easier way to make money – so this…is actually my dream. It really, really is it. And it’s definitely got a few ‘pinch me, pinch me’ moments, you know?”
In London, another one of those moments might be waiting.
Panagiotis Bitados (GRE)
At just 21 years old, Panagiotis Bitados is already one of Europe’s most intriguing young triathlon stars. His resume is astonishing for someone so early in his career: he’s won every Ironman 70.3 race he’s started, including Venice-Josolo earlier this year, where he chased down 2023 World Champion Rico Bogen after starting the run three and a half minutes behind.
He has also raced in three WTCS events this year, finishing first at both the 2025 Africa Triathlon Cup Troutbeck as well as the 2025 Africa Triathlon Cup Swakopmund.
Though his T100 debut season hasn’t yet had him in contention with the top – he DNF’d in San Francisco and finished 9th in Vancouver – London could be Bitados’ chance to make his mark in the T100 arena. If he can find his rhythm on the day, he certainly has the firepower to derail the podium script.
Harry Palmer (GBR)
For British fans, few stories are more inspiring than Harry Palmer’s. The 28-year-old recently won Ironman 70.3 Swansea, but it’s the story behind it that was especially moving.
“Two years ago I was questioning quitting this sport,” Palmer wrote on Instagram post-Swansea. “I felt like I was trying so hard and not getting anywhere. Prior to that I had gone through years of struggle to get my pro license, lots of drama at training centres and plenty of mental battles.”
“Fast forward [to] today and I am living my dream,” he said, “surrounding myself with people who motivate and inspire me to be better every day and push myself to the absolute limit… I guess what I’m trying to say is…if you’ve got a dream, go for it and give it everything you’ve got!”
Now, Palmer has earned his first T100 start, and he’ll do it on home soil. And his recent form suggests this isn’t just a feel-good story – Palmer is arriving in London with legitimate racing momentum.
Why These Wildcards Matter
Jamie Riddle, Panagiotis Bitados, and Harry Palmer are not just filling slots – they’re bringing fire, heart, and a real chance to reshape the race. Each has already delivered unforgettable moments in 2025.
Sometimes, the most compelling stories come from those who were not guaranteed a seat at the table, but earned it through grit, resilience, and an unshakable belief that this is exactly where they’re meant to be.
In case you missed it, click here for our breakdown of the contracted athletes announced last week.
The post Men’s Wildcards Poised to Shake Up London T100 appeared first on Triathlon Magazine Canada.