Twelve of the world’s best Elite women lined up under the Galician sun for the 2025 World Triathlon Long-Distance Championships in Pontevedra, ready to tackle the gruelling test of 3km swim, 120km bike and 30km run.
Great Britain’s Chloe Sparrow made an early statement, leading the women out of the water with a strong swim performance. Close behind was France’s Marjolaine Pierre, who wasted no time in transition and quickly asserted herself at the front of the race.
On the bike, Pierre began to build momentum. By the 80km mark, she had opened a considerable lead, with reigning champion Charlène Clavel riding her way into second place, ahead of Sparrow and Poland’s Marta Łagownik.
Pierre continued to surge ahead and rode solo for the majority of the bike segment. On the final lap of the bike, she held an 11-minute lead over Clavel and came into the second transition completely alone, no other athlete in sight. With total control and a measured pace, she was the first Elite woman onto the 30km run course.
Despite 2024 champion Charlène Clavel showing fine form and making up time on the bike, Pierre looked untouchable. Her calm, consistent stride through the streets of Pontevedra showed no signs of slowing and she didn’t look back once. The 2023 Long-Distance World Champion, who won gold in Ibiza, delivered a near flawless performance to secure her second world title in dominant fashion.
'I am super happy, the conditions were really hot so I am happy I was able to pace myself and keep the gap. I am super happy. It means alot for my parents, my boyfriend, I am so happy for my team. It's a team, we win together,'said Pierre.
Behind her, the battle for the podium heated up. At the 20km mark of the run, Clavel began to fade as Poland’s Marta Łagownik moved into second place, handling the Spanish heat with grit. The Polish star held her rhythm through the final stretch to defend her silver medal from 2024, a testament to her rising consistency on the long-distance stage.
'I am so glad, I am so happy. It's an amazing feeling to defend the second place from last year. It was hard, it was hot, especially the last 5k for me but everybody is dealing with the same climate. I am so tired now but I am so happy and so glad and so thankful for all of the people cheering for me in Pontevedra, I am so happy,' said Łagownik.
Clavel, though unable to match her previous year’s pace, showed her class across all three disciplines and dug deep to secure bronze, rounding out a fiercely competitive women’s podium.
'It was a great race, I gave my best. Congratulations to the girls up front, they were so strong. I am happy with my best today,' said Clavel.
Review the full results.
Review the photo gallery for one-time editorial use.
