Leonard Arnold (GER) and Justine Guerard (FRA) claimed victory at Challenge Sanremo in 3:55:49 and 4:32:38, respectively, mastering the warm conditions and demanding course along the Italian Riviera.
In the men’s race, Justus Töpper (GER) was first out of the water in 25:18, leading Michele Sarzilla (ITA), Malachi Cashmore (GBR), David Breinlinger (GER), and Jannik Stoll (GER). Early on the bike, Breinlinger set the pace before Leonard Arnold (GER) surged to the front at 20 km. From there, Arnold steadily extended his lead over Sarzilla, Stoll, and the chasers, reaching T2 in 2:18:57, more than three minutes ahead.
On the 21km run, Arnold continued to control the race. While Sarzilla reduced the gap to 90 seconds, Arnold responded in the final kilometres, ultimately taking victory in 3:55:49. Sarzilla secured second in 3:58:57, while Thomas Navarro (FRA) claimed the final podium spot in 4:00:50 after pulling away from Joost Friderichs (NED) halfway through the run.
The women’s race began with Maëla Moison (FRA) and Luisa Iogna-Prat (ITA) leading out of the swim in 28:29. On the bike, Justine Guerard (FRA) quickly moved to the front, climbing strongly to build a lead over Johanna Ahrens (GER), Iogna-Prat, and Sofia Aguayo (ESP). By Ciabaudo, Guerard had created a clear advantage, with Lisa-Maria Dornauer (AUT), Magda Nieuwoudt (RSA), and Gabriella Zelinka (HUN) in pursuit. Guerard reached T2 in 2:44:26, holding a 1:55 lead over Dornauer.
On the run, Guerard continued to extend her lead, while Zelinka moved into second and Nieuwoudt into third. By 15 km, Guerard was two minutes ahead, and she kept her steady pace to secure the victory. Guerard finished first in 4:32:38, followed by Zelinka in second place in 4:35:13 and Iogna-Prat in third in 4:36:39 after a strong last 5 km.
Challenge Sanremo 2025 unfolded today in warm and demanding conditions, with athletes battling 20–28°C temperatures and a non-wetsuit swim for the professionals due to the 25°C water temperature. The calm Mediterranean provided a smooth start to the day, as athletes took on the one-lap 1.9 km swim course in Portosole before heading to the iconic coastal and inland climbs on the bike and finishing the race with a seaside run.