Visser in dreamland after first T100 podium finish

The 34-year-old from Netherlands came out the water in 14th place but pushed up to third on the final lap of the bike and trailed only defending T100 title-holder Ashleigh Gentle and Ironman world champion Lucy Charles-Barclay at the finish.

Visser, who has a PhD in surgery and is also a shipwreck survivor, could scarcely believe her course to a breath-taking bronze in the far east.

Singapore T100 Women's Podium ????

???? Ashleigh Gentle ???????????? Lucy Charles-Barclay ???????????? Els Visser ???????? pic.twitter.com/D2u2Gt17wg

— T100 Triathlon World Tour (@t100triathlon) April 13, 2024

“I feel super proud of myself, I never expected to finish on the podium,” she said.

“I would have taken a top 10 finish so to make it to the podium is a dream come true and to make it to the podium with Lucy and Ashleigh is a dream come true, I never expected it.”

Despite trailing the leaders by nearly four minutes after the swim leg, Visser knew she would rally strongly on the bike and delivered the third-fastest split to put her in contention for an unlikely podium finish.

Race winner Gentle reeled her in at the start of the 18km run but she comfortably held on for bronze, 25 seconds ahead of New Zealand’s Amelia Watkinson.

This is why triathlon is the hardest sport on this planet ????

This is what it takes to win… pic.twitter.com/FyehMpLiJ5

— T100 Triathlon World Tour (@t100triathlon) April 14, 2024

“I know that I’m not the best swimmer so I really had to work my way back into the field,” said Visser, after her finishing time of 03:51:38.

“My coach said to me: ‘focus on yourself, no matter the circumstances.’ So that’s what I did and when I came out the water I went to work, pushed hard on the bike, was patient, and really made up some time.

“There were a couple of really hard climbs that are very technical and challenging, so it was focusing on the next lap and kilometre and not looking too far ahead.”

“I got closer and closer and on the last leg I really started cramping. I didn’t know how I would feel on the run, so it took me a while to find my rhythm but I found it and I’m super happy I was able to overtake Lucy and stay in front of Amelia.”