Despite light rain and wind greeting athletes at dawn, Challenge Barcelona 2025 delivered an action-packed day of racing along the Catalan capital’s iconic coastline. The middle-distance event saw Jamie Riddle (RSA) and Cathia Schär (SUI) claim victory after decisive performances across the flat and fast course in 3:36:39 and 4:07:29, respectively.
Athletes began the day with a one-lap swim at Mar Bella Beach, offering views of the Olympic Port and Forum Park. Hannes Butters (GER) was first out of the water in 22:08, closely followed by Jamie Riddle in 22:12, with a large chase group including Martin Demuth (AUT), Cenzino Lebot (FRA), Alejandro Rodriguez Rilo (ESP), Michele Bortolamedi (ITA), Ruben Zepunkte (GER), and William Even (FRA) one minute behind.
Early in the bike segment, which took athletes along the scenic N-II road between Montgat and Mataró, Riddle and Bortolamedi established an early breakaway. As the race progressed, Riddle began to distance himself from both Bortolamedi and Butters, extending his advantage as the kilometres unfolded. Unfortunately, Bortolamedi’s race ended abruptly with a flat tyre just 10km from T2, leaving Butters chasing alone. Riddle entered transition in 1:58:14, holding a 2:11 gap over Butters.
On the run along Barcelona’s seafront promenade, Riddle maintained his lead to take a commanding win in 3:36:39. A late surge and sprint from Carlos Oliver (ESP) brought him into second place in 3:41:45, just ahead of Martin Demuth, who completed the podium in 3:41:53.
"I went hard on the bike and opened a massive gap”, said Riddle at the finish. "I did the Barcelona European Cup about 5-6 years ago, that was my first international podium and this is my first international win, so Barcelona has something for me. This race has huge potential. The Sagrada Familia was so beautiful, I was there alone and then (later) the support was crazy!"
In the women’s race, Sophia Green (GBR) led out of the water in 24:52, followed by Maela Moison (FRA) and Cathia Schär. On the bike, Green extended her advantage, leading by two minutes over Schär and another minute over Moison and Marta Bernardi (ITA). By the second half of the run, Schär, fresh from her victory at Challenge Peguera-Mallorca last weekend, was closing in rapidly. She overtook Green on the final lap and never looked back, securing her second consecutive Challenge Family win in 4:07:29. Green impressed on her debut Challenge Family appearance, finishing second in 4:09:54, while Bernardi completed the podium in 4:12:59.
“It was so hard for me today. I fell on the bike, I lost my bottles, but in the end it was the same for everyone,” said Schär. "I needed to run one kilometre before I started feeling good, but then I found my rhythm."
The flat and fast course once again showcased Barcelona’s unique blend of urban energy and seaside beauty. Athletes raced through wide avenues with views of the Sagrada Família, while enthusiastic crowds lined the seafront promenade to cheer them to the finish line. Despite early rain, the event delivered world-class racing and confirmed Challenge Barcelona as one of the most vibrant and scenic races on the Challenge Family calendar.