Bradley Weiss wins XTERRA World Championship

Monday 28 October 2019

The morning rain served up a traditional Hawaiian blessing on the day then quickly gave way to bright sunshine and super-fast racing among the best off-roaders on the planet, including six past world champions and a wealth of young, talented competitors from more than 40 countries.

Sam Osborne from New Zealand was first out of the water, followed closely by the amazing Flora Duffy of Bermuda, Maxim Chane of France, and Weiss.

“I had a really good swim,” said Weiss. “My swimming has come on nicely and now I’m much more confident and calmer on race day. Today, I made sure I was in control and stayed in front.”

Once on the bike, Brad and Sam took to the front and three-time XTERRA World Champ Ruben Ruzafa from Spain joined them soon after.   It was on the uphills where Weiss was making his mark.

“I couldn’t believe how strong I felt on the climbs,” said Weiss, who was in the lead after the first lap 10-miles into the course with Ruzafa right on his wheel, Osborne five seconds back, Arthur Serrieres 28-seconds behind in fourth and Cedric Fleureton in fifth one-minute back.

True to form, Ruzafa posted the fastest bike split for the seventh straight year and caught the pair.

“I made a few mistakes at the end of the first lap and had a few bobbles and Sam and Ruben closed the gap that quickly,” said Weiss. “That’s how this race is. You make a few mistakes and lose your rhythm, and the other guy is on you. When Sam and Ruben and I started the second lap together, my game plan changed. I decided that I needed to ride with these guys and get to the top while conserving as much energy as possible. Ruben was pushing really hard on the downhill, but the problem with this type of slick course is that there is a fine line between going hard and making mistakes.”

Ruzafa, who is one of the best technical mountain bikers in the world, had three crashes on the course.

“Finally, I realized I had to save some energy for the run,” said Ruzafa, who was pushing hard on the descents to close the gaps Weiss created on the way up.

“Look,” said Osborne, “I’m not sure today’s conditions on the fast tires we all had favored the good bike handlers. Ruben proper launched himself and I hit a tree mid-air trying to cut a corner. I think I burned a few matches doing that, and when Brad attacked on the first climb, I didn’t have the legs to go with him.”

Coming out of the bike to run transition, Weiss and Ruzafa began the run together, with Ruzafa displaying some quick leg speed.

“Finally, I was happy today with my run,” said Ruzafa. “It wasn’t enough to be a world champion, but I have to know I did well.”

At about the four-kilometer mark, Weiss made his move, but he couldn’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet.

Behind him, with Sam Osborne, was 25-year old Arthur Serrieres, who won this year’s XTERRA European Tour with victories at XTERRA Greece, Czech Republic, and Denmark. He has been running incredibly fast this season, and Weiss knew that he had to keep pushing if he was going to hold onto his lead.

“I knew Arthur was coming on strong,” said Weiss. “I hadn’t pushed as hard as I had to push on today’s run in a long time. I just told myself, ‘Keep digging, keep digging, there’s only 20 minutes left.’”

Coming off the bikes, Serrieres was fourth behind Weiss, Ruzafa, and Osborne.

“It took some time to catch Sam, because he runs really strong off the front,” said Serrieres. “On the first kilometer, I was not so good, but I kept getting better.”

Serrieres pulled away from Osborne at kilometer three and then caught Ruzafa before the eight-kilometer mark. Serrieres posted the fastest run split of the day, just four seconds faster than California’s Chad Hall, who finished 13th overall.

Meanwhile, just ahead, on the beach, Weiss had flashbacks to his win in 2017.

“I didn’t know I would ever win again, so today’s win today was incredibly wonderful,” he said. “It’s such a unique race and special race and something that so many athletes put time and effort into and that makes it all the more sweet to win, knowing that everyone arrives here in the best shape on race day. You have to make it count. I couldn’t be happier.”

Serrieres finished second overall with a time of 2:34:56 and was thrilled with his day.

“On the bike course, I couldn’t catch the leaders, and I told myself, ‘Come on Arthur, save some energy for the run and maybe you can finish fourth. That would be a great performance.’ To finish second with today’s competition, I think I am entering another dimension. Next year, I really want to be an XTERRA World Champ.”

Ruzafa was third in 2:35:26, his sixth top three finish over the last seven years (he was 4th last year), Osborne came in fourth and Cedric Fleureton from France was fifth for the second time in three years.

Josiah Middaugh came in sixth and was the top American for the ninth straight year and 12th time overall.

Also impressive was last year’s top amateur, Czech Republic’s Karel Dusek, who finished seventh in 2:42:38. 

Elite Men    
1 Bradley Weiss Stellenbosch, South Africa 2:33:39
2 Arthur Serrieres Montpellier, France 2:34:54
3 Ruben Ruzafa Malaga, Spain 2:35:23
4 Sam Osborne Rotorua, New Zealand 2:37:02
5 Cedric Fleureton Albigny, France 2:37:25
6 Josiah Middaugh Eagle-Vail, Colorado, USA 2:40:36
7 Karel Dusek Karlovy Vary, Czech 2:42:37
8 Karsten Madsen Kitchener, Canada 2:43:39
9 Maxim Chane Falicon, France 2:43:55
10 Karel Zadak Brno, Czech 2:44:03

XTERRA Triathlon


Coming Triathlon Events View all

Frysman

Reaklif, Warns, Netherlands

Laponia Triathlon

Gällivare, Sweden

Stone Extreme

Lago d'Iseo / Passo Paradiso, Italy

Swedeman Xtreme

Östernoren, Sweden

Odyssey

St Neots, United Kingdom

Challenge Roth

Roth, Germany

Altriman

les Angles, Pyrenees, France

eagleXman

Assergi, Italy

TriBourne 226

Eastbourne, United Kingdom

Kaike triathlon

Yonago, Tottori, Japan

Ironman Vitoria Gasteiz

Vitoria Gasteiz, Spain

Ironman Lake Placid

Lake Placid, United States

Ironman Leeds

Leeds, United Kingdom

Ironman Canada Ottawa

Ottowa, Canada

Ironman Kalmar Sweden

Kalmar, Sweden

Ironman Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark

Ironman Tallinn

Tallinn, Estonia

Ironman Switzerland

Thun, Switzerland

Ironman Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Ironman Japan South Hokkaido

Hokkaido, Japan

Tri Tour El Pont de Suert

El Pont de Suert, Spain

La Tour Geneve

Geneve, Switzerland

Garmin Tri Tour Elblag

Elblag, Poland

Great White North

Hubbles Lake, Alberta, Canada

Outlaw Half Holkham

Holkham Hall, Norfolk, United Kingdom

Oravaman

Zuberec, Slovakia

Cotswold Classic

Ashton Keynes, United Kingdom

Door Country Half

Egg Harbor, WI, United States

Garmin Tri Tour Sycow

Sycow, Poland

Sourdough Triathlon

Chatanika, Alaska, United States

70.3 Muskoka

Huntsville, Ontario, Canada

70.3 Jonkoping

Jönköping, Sweden

70.3 Muncie

Muncie, Indiana, United States

70.3 Luxembourg

Remich, Luxembourg

70.3 Swansea

Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom

70.3 Musselman

Geneva NY, United States

70.3 Ohio

Sandusky, United States

70.3 Oregon

Salem OR, United States

70.3 Ecuador

Manta, Ecuador

70.3 Boise

Boise Idaho, United States

Triathlon News & Media Blogs View all

70.3 Jonkoping SWE Pro Start List

70.3 Jonkoping SWE Pro Start List

Friday 04 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

A warm and heartfelt welcome to 2025 IRONMAN 70.3 Jönköping European Championship! On Sunday, July 6, you’ll be part of something truly special – a celebration of athleticism, determination and community, set in the heart of Sweden. more

World Champions, Olympians, Roth Legends At CHALLENGE Roth 2025

World Champions, Olympians, Roth Legends At CHALLENGE Roth 2025

Thursday 03 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

World champions, Roth winners, Olympians, European champions, local heroes, Paralympic champions – they're all in Roth! The 2025 professional field is more diverse than ever before. Whether it's a debut or a comeback, seasoned veterans, final races or new faces: 6 July promises to be a triathlon festival full of surprises. The professional field is led by the two Ironman world champions Laura Philipp and Sam Laidlow. more

IRONMAN Announces New Performance-Based Age-Group Qualification System for World Championships

IRONMAN Announces New Performance-Based Age-Group Qualification System for World Championships

Wednesday 02 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

IRONMAN, the global leader in triathlon, today announced a new performance-based age group qualification system for its IRONMAN World Championship® and IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championship events, beginning with the 2026 qualifying cycle. Based on extensive research, testing, and feedback from athletes, the new qualifying system is designed to reward athletes based entirely on how competitive they are relative to their age group and gender. more

Marten van Riel & Jess Learmonth Win 70.3 Nice France

Marten van Riel & Jess Learmonth Win 70.3 Nice France

Sunday 29 Jun 2025 [Triathlon News]

Van Riel's Dominance: Marten Van Riel controlled the men's race from the swim, building a significant lead on the bike and maintaining it through the run. This win also qualified him for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Marbella. Michele Bortolamedi (ITA) finished second, and Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen (DEN) took third. more

Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) Claims Second European Title at Thrilling 21st Edition IRONMAN Frankfurt

Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) Claims Second European Title at Thrilling 21st Edition IRONMAN Frankfurt

Sunday 29 Jun 2025 [Triathlon News]

The IRONMAN European Championship for professional men took place in Frankfurt today, making the 11th race of the IRONMAN Pro Series. In a nail-biting race right up to the bitter end, it was Norwegian Kristian Blummenfelt who took the tape, claiming his second straight win in Frankfurt, and second regional IRONMAN Championship title this year. more

Facebook


YouTube


Sign up for FREE NEWSLETTER:

We will never share your email address or spam you.