The 2026 Europe Triathlon European Multisport Championships got underway in Banyoles with an action-packed opening day, featuring Elite, Under-23 and Age Group Duathlon races. From the first Age Group athletes on the start line to the dramatic Elite title battles later in the day, the opening competition set the stage for what promises to be an exciting week of racing in Banyoles.
Netherlands claim gold after dramatic late surge
The Elite Women's race produced one of the closest finishes of the day as the Netherlands' Jasmijn Bakker timed her final attack to perfection, sprinting to the European title in 56:32.
Spain's María Varo dictated the race from the opening run, controlling the pace before leading out of the second transition and into the decisive final run. With the home crowd behind her, Varo looked on course to successfully defend the European title she won in Rumia-Pomorskie, Poland, last year.
However, Bakker steadily reeled in the leaders before launching a decisive attack in the closing stages, overtaking both Varo and France's Emma Wasser to secure a memorable victory. Varo battled on to take the silver medal, while Wasser completed the podium with bronze.
Gracia leads Spanish success in the U23 Women's race
Spain's celebrations continued in the Under-23 competition as Lucía Gracia claimed the European title with an outstanding performance. Racing alongside the Elite field, Gracia finished seventh overall and crossed the line 20 seconds ahead of Poland's Hanna Foltyniewicz, who secured silver. Italy's Noemi Bogiatto completed the podium in third, finishing 38 seconds behind the new champion.
Dely upgrades silver to gold
After winning silver at last year's World Triathlon Duathlon Championships in Pontevedra, Belgium's Arnaud Dely returned to Spain determined to go one better.
Dely laid the foundations for victory by setting the fastest opening run split of the day in 14:44, arriving at the first transition in the lead group. The front pack remained together throughout the bike leg, with France's Emile Blondel Hermant leading out of T2 after a rapid transition.
The race was ultimately decided on the final run. Dely's superior running strength proved decisive as he covered the closing section 11 seconds quicker than Blondel Hermant, pulling clear to reclaim the European title. Blondel Hermant secured silver, while fellow Frenchman Adrien Pilleux completed the podium with bronze.
Spain dominate the U23 Men's podium
Spain enjoyed further success on home soil as Jarno Pousada Troitiño claimed the Under-23 European title, finishing 24 seconds clear of compatriot Paco Martí Ballester, who secured the silver medal.
Pousada rounded off an exceptional race with the fourth-fastest final run split of the day, covering the closing lap in 7:16. His strong finish earned him sixth place overall, crossing the line ahead of France's Léo Starck.
Great Britain's Charlie Harding completed the Under-23 podium with bronze after producing one of the most consistent performances in the field, recording top-five splits among the Under-23 athletes in every discipline except one.
Sunday promises even more excitement as the Standard Distance Duathlon titles are set to be decided, with another full day of racing around the iconic Lake Banyoles with age group racing starting from 10:00.
Full Elite and U23 results can be found here.
Full Age Group results can be found here.
Photo: JCDfotografia