TRIATHLON – BAHRAIN Victorious 13 unveiled yesterday their 2026 roster, assembling a team of champions to reinforce the kingdom’s position at the forefront of international endurance sport.
Founded on the vision of His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sport chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain Victorious 13 aim to inspire a nation through elite performance and build a lasting legacy of excellence and national pride.
This year’s squad reflects both ambition and continuity. Olympic champions, world title holders, and rising long-distance contenders unite under one banner with a shared objective: to win on the sport’s biggest stages.
Reigning Ironman 70.3 world champion Jelle Geens enters 2026 as the benchmark in middle-distance racing. After becoming the first Belgian to win two World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS) races, he stepped up in distance following his final Olympic cycle and captured the Ironman 70.3 World Championship on debut in Taupo, before defending the crown in Marbella with a sprint finish. Having mastered the 70.3 distance, he now turns his focus towards the Ironman World Championship.
Kat Matthews, a two-time Ironman Pro Series champion and three-time Ironman vice-world champion, continues to exemplify consistency at the highest level. The only athlete to claim vice-world titles across three separate championship courses, she remains one of the most formidable competitors in long-distance triathlon and a cornerstone of Bahrain’s pursuit of global titles.
Georgia Taylor-Brown, one of the most decorated Olympic triathletes of her generation, returns reinvigorated. An Olympic individual silver-medallist and mixed relay gold and bronze-medallist, as well as a world champion and Commonwealth Games medallist, she rejoins the team with renewed competitive fire after exploring cycling and middle-distance racing. She remains a major threat at any race she contests.
Taylor Knibb made an immediate impact in her first season with Bahrain Victorious 13, proving herself a dominant force across Ironman and T100 competition. Silver at Ironman Texas, victory at T100 Vancouver, and silver at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship highlighted her range and resilience. With unfinished business at the Ironman World Championship, she forms a central pillar of the team’s 2026 ambitions.
Cassandre Beaugrand, Olympic gold-medallist and six-time world champion, carries forward her legacy as one of the sport’s defining athletes. The first French triathlete to win Olympic gold, she achieved a rare golden double in Paris, claiming both Olympic and world titles in the same year. Her composure, speed, and competitive drive continue to elevate the team.
Vincent Luis, two-time world champion and Olympic mixed relay bronze-medallist, has transitioned to longer distances with intent. After securing the Ironman 70.3 Middle East Championship Bahrain title and placing fourth on his full-distance debut at Challenge Roth, he continues to evolve into a serious contender across 100km and Ironman racing.
Marten Van Riel’s progression to long-course racing has signalled clear championship ambition. Following a silver at the Ironman African Championship, victory at Ironman 70.3 Nice, and a fourth-place finish on his Ironman World Championship debut, he capped his season with a podium at the T100 Grand Final. In 2026, he looks to convert near-misses into major titles.
Vasco Vilaca has proven himself a versatile and fearless competitor capable of challenging world champions at any distance. A WTCS bronze-medallist and Supertri League silver-medallist, he closed his season with silver at Ironman 70.3 Bahrain on debut over the distance. His adaptability and finishing strength make him a vital component of the team’s championship blueprint.
With world champions, Olympic medallists, and world beaters on the roster, Bahrain Victorious 13 enter 2026 unified in purpose: to win at the highest level, represent the kingdom with pride, and continue building a legacy defined by excellence, ambition, and sustained global impact.
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