On the majestic coastline of Frejus and Saint-Raphael, Ashleigh Gentle reminded the world why she’s long been considered one of the most elegant and consistent athletes in the sport. With the fastest run split of the day, she surged from seventh off the bike to the top of the podium, marking her first win of the 2025 T100 season.
Gentle exited the water in a sizable chase pack, roughly a minute behind early leaders Jess Learmonth and Georgia Taylor-Brown. “I knew that I had to kind of try and stick with them as long as I could,” she said post-race, “[but] the first part of the ride was so fast…I just tried not to panic and make sure I paced it really well.” She noted that saving energy for the run was a priority – especially after London where, as she put it, “the wheels fell off in the last part.”
That patience paid off. Gentle ran with composure and precision, steadily moving through the field with her signature, seemingly effortless stride. She made the decisive pass for the lead around the halfway mark of the run and never looked back.
“It’ll take a little bit to sink in,” she said at the finish line. “I’ve been doing this for 20 years now, and I’m well aware that there are highs and there are lows – it doesn’t always go perfectly – but I’ve invested just as much as I always do to try and be at the top. But the competition is incredible… It’s definitely nice to be able to come to this race and take a win.”
The victory bumps Gentle up to fourth in the T100 standings, trailing only Julie Derron (in first), and Kate Waugh and Taylor Knibb (currently tied for second), with Lucy Charles-Barclay now sitting in fifth. Notably, both Gentle and Derron have raced four times this season, while the others have three finishes to their name. With an athlete’s top four scores plus the World Championship Final counting toward the season title, the leaderboard is still fluid heading into the final stretch.
While Gentle hasn’t yet beaten any of the women ranked ahead of her in a head-to-head this season, her performance in Frejus adds a new layer of intrigue for the next time she prepares to line up against them. “It’s about keeping the faith and being resilient and trusting that you can be back on the top,” Gentle said.
Commentators echoed the sentiment, praising the experience and tactical maturity behind Gentle’s execution across all three disciplines, saying simply: “Form is temporary. Class is forever.”
View this post on Instagram
Findlay Flies into Second
For Canadian fans, the day brought something extra to celebrate: Paula Findlay charged to a career-best T100 result, finishing second in Frejus. “I honestly never thought I’d podium one of these,” she said at the finish line. “They’ve become so fast and so competitive, so I’m really happy.”
Findlay emerged from the water 13th, over two minutes behind the leaders. But by the end of the 80km bike she had clawed her way into fifth, setting herself up for a strong run. “I had a really awful swim so I knew I’d need to work the bike as best I could,” she said. “I’ve never ridden a descent being able to cross the centre line like that – it was like being in the Tour de France… So cool.”
Her performance gives her valuable momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. “It’s a good confidence booster,” she said. “It’s easier to train hard when you’re on a roll.” Findlay added that she plans to race both Dubai and Qatar as her next T100 stops.
View this post on Instagram
India Lee: The Steady Climb to the Podium
Rounding out the podium was a quietly impressive performance from India Lee, who secured her first T100 podium of the 2025 season. After a strong swim in the chase pack and a steady ride that had her entering T2 in sixth, Lee ran with strength and determination, reeling in competitors one by one as they faded.
“I’m still pretty speechless, to be honest,” she said post-race. “I was just trying to focus on myself and channel all those long hours of long runs I’ve been doing recently, and yeah just plugged away at it and managed to get on the podium by the end.”
Lee credited her long-course training for helping her stay strong in the final kilometres: “I trusted that I’ve been training for long course…so I know that at the back end I’m going to be strong – just not necessarily fast off the gun.”
View this post on Instagram
A Wildcard Surprise, and a Reminder of Depth
While the podium belonged to Gentle, Findlay, and Lee, one of the day’s most talked-about stories was wildcard entry Alanis Siffert. Coached by the renowned Brett Sutton, Siffert only learned three days prior that she had been offered a spot on the start line. She wasted no time making an impact – taking the lead on the bike, entering T2 first, and holding the front until about 6 kilometres into the run. “Three years ago she wasn’t even doing this sport, she didn’t even own a bike,” the commentators said in awe. “Now she’s leading one of the world’s toughest races.”
Her eventual fade to 10th place was hardly a disappointment; it was an announcement of potential, and a reminder of the depth rising within the women’s field.
Georgia Taylor-Brown also delivered an impressive performance, overtaking Siffert to take the lead with 12 kilometres remaining – holding strong until Ashleigh Gentle’s decisive surge reshaped the race. Though she faded in the closing kilometres, her effort underscored the fierce competition at the front.
Next up on the T100 Triathlon World Tour: Spain on September 20th. Get ready for more thrilling action!
The post Queen Ash back on top; Findlay takes second in T100 French Riviera appeared first on Triathlon Magazine Canada.