TRIATHLON – BAHRAIN Victorious 13 superstar Vasco Vilaca took an impressive victory in the elite men’s race at the 2026 Europe Triathlon Cup Quarteira, held in his native Portugal.
Last year’s overall bronze-medallist in the World Triathlon Championship Series headlined a high-quality international field of nearly 80 men’s competitors.
The event began with a 1.5-kilometre swim, which was followed by a 40km bike ride and concluded with a 10km run.
Vilaca triumphed in a total race time of one hour 44 minutes and three seconds to make a winning start to his 2026 season. He completed the swim leg in 16 minutes 36 seconds, his ride in 56:12, and the run in 29:48.
Vilaca was joined on the elite men’s podium by countryman Joao Nuno Batista, who finished 20 seconds behind, while Mark Devay from Hungary completed the top three 55 seconds from Vilaca.
“We worked very hard and almost had three Portuguese athletes on the podium, but we got two,” 26-year-old Vilaca was quoted as saying by Portuguese media outlet Sul Informacao.
“Joao Nuno was incredible, and we are very satisfied. Quarteira is an amazing event and it was an important day for national triathlon.”
Of his preparations leading up to the race, Vilaca said: “I came here with the plan to enjoy myself, but also to give an extra boost to this very important event.
“I’m very happy that the strategy worked exactly as we had planned. We have a very strong generation, and I’m very happy that we’re growing together.”
Vilaca also expressed his delight with his victory on home soil. “I said that if it wasn’t me, it would be another athlete, and Joao Nuno was ready to do the same thing if necessary,” he said.
Vilaca, who is one of eight superstar triathletes on the Bahrain Victorious 13 roster for 2026, was part of the leading group that spearheaded the race coming out of the water.
He maintained his strong form on the bike where he continued to battle alongside a number of his fellow-contenders, but then finally took control in the run, where he set the pace with Batista.
Vilaca eventually broke away from his closest rivals and secured his impressive victory.
It was the second triumph of his career in Quarteira, where he had also won a decade ago while competing in the junior category, according to Sul Informacao.
Following his successful 2026 debut on home soil, Vilaca is expected to contest other high-profile events in the coming weeks.
He has proven himself to be a versatile and fearless competitor over recent years, capable of challenging world champions at any distance. Last year, Vilaca closed his 2025 campaign with a silver medal at the Ironman 70.3 Bahrain on his maiden appearance over the distance.
Along with Vilaca, Bahrain Victorious 13’s 2026 men’s roster includes Vincent Luis from France and Belgians Marten Van Riel and Jelle Geens; while the women’s line-up boasts triathlon superstars Cassandre Beaugrand from France, Georgia Taylor-Brown and Kat Matthews from Britain, and Taylor Knibb from the US.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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