Italian star Giorgia Priarone claimed the women’s 2025 Duathlon World Championship on a thrilling race in Pontevedra that kicked-off the Elite races of the World Triathlon Multisport Championships. Spaniard Maria Varo Zubiri finished second, and French woman Camille Laurent secured third and the U23 crown in an exciting showdown.
The 2025 Duathlon World Championships took place on a fresh new format that kept athletes on their toes: a 5 km run, followed by a 30 km bike, and ending with another 5 km run. Perfect weather conditions — warm but not too hot, with a gentle breeze — created ideal racing conditions, while the scenic run circuit through Pontevedra’s historic city center, passing iconic landmarks like the Peregrina Church, provided a stunning backdrop for the competition. Crowds lined the streets, cheering especially loudly for the home favorites, adding an electric atmosphere to the event.
A total of 34 elite and U23 women lined up for what was expected to be a thrilling contest. Spaniard Maria Varo Zubiri burst out of the gates, setting a blistering pace from the start and establishing a significant lead on the first 5 km. She clocked a rapid 16:45 and worked hard to break away, pulling along some of the sport’s top contenders—including the defending World Champion Marion Legrand, three French teammates, Mexico’s Anahi Alvarez Corral, and the Italian star Giorgia Priarone.
As the athletes transitioned onto their bikes, Varo Zubiri attempted a solo escape, but her lead was soon caught by a group of six chasers. Despite several attacks and attempts to break away, the group stayed tightly bunched for the majority of the 30 km. The chase group included Priarone, Camille Laurent, Marion Legrand, Emma Wasser (all of them from France), and Noemi Bogiatto (ITA). Notably, Mexican athlete Anahi Alvarez Corral dropped out early on the bike, DNF’ing after the first lap.
Entering the final 5km run, Varo Zubiri and Priarone quickly moved ahead, opening a small gap over the rest of the leaders, who had regrouped behind them. The Spanish athlete and the Italian pushed shoulder to shoulder for nearly 4.5 km, exchanging places and battling fiercely. With just 500 meters to go, Priarone unleashed her final effort, leaving Varo Zubiri behind and never looking back to cross the finish line first in an impressive 1:24:40.
Giorgia Priarone’s victory marked a brilliant display of endurance and tactical racing, as she claimed her first Duathlon World Championship crown. Varo Zubiri, despite falling just short, was all smiles in second place, celebrating her best performance at a World Championships. French athlete Camille Laurent made an outstanding move in the final meters to secure third place and also take home the U23 World Championship title — a remarkable achievement for the young Frenchwoman.
The U23 podium was completed by Noemi Bogiatto from Italy, who finished fourth overall, while Belgian Jeanne Dupont also made a strong impression to claim the last U23 spot of the podium.
The day couldn't have started any better for the Spanish delegation on the Junior race, with rising star Cristina Jimenez-Orta Guerrero crossing the finish line inches ahead of Licia Ferrari (ITA) to claim the Duathlon Junior world title. The bronze medal was for another Spaniard, maria Tenorio Albo, proving that duathlon still has a long tradition in Spain.
Jímenez-Orta Guerrero
What the athletes said:
Giorgia Priarone
“I won the European Championship, but I never won a medal in the World Championship, I really wanted it and I can’t believe I did it - and the gold one, so I am very happy.”
I stayed with her (María Varo Zubiri) because I knew she could win and I saw her in the last few hundred metres that she was slowing down. I don’t know where I find the energy, but it worked!.”
María Varo Zubiri
“On the first 5km’s I felt good and had the legs and then on the bike we all tried to work together and get a bit more time with them and the chasers but there wasn’t a lot of collaboration so they couldn’t do it. On the last final 5km I just went for it, tried to do as much as I can, never looked back and thought for some moments she could break away from Giorgia Priarone but congratulations to her, she just had it today. I am so happy.”
Camille Laurent (bronze medal and U23 World Duathlon Champion)
“I am very happy, it’s a dream for me.”
