In one of the most prestigious races on the long-distance triathlon calendar, Classified-supported athlete Hanne De Vet claimed a breakthrough victory at The Championship in Samorin, Slovakia — becoming the first Belgian triathlete to ever win the event.
With a finish time of 3h48'56, Hanne overcame tough weather, a shortened swim, and fierce competition to take the win at the Challenge Family series final. Her poise and power — especially in the decisive run leg — were a testament to her growing form and a season that’s only just getting started.
“It was chilly out there, just 12°C air temperature and the water only 13°C, which led to a shortened swim. That actually worked against me a bit, since I usually benefit from the full swim distance.”
Despite the disadvantage, Hanne emerged from the water with the front group and quickly settled into a smart, controlled effort on the bike.
“Two of us quickly got on the bike together and set off right away. One rider was pushing the pace a bit too much, so I let her go and settled into my own rhythm for the first 45 km. At the turnaround point, two others caught up with me, and we stuck together until the end of the bike leg. It rained heavily during the ride, and by the time we hit the transition zone, everything was numb from the cold.”
What followed was a masterclass in pacing and mental focus. In the early kilometers of the half marathon, the lead changed hands again, but Hanne stayed calm and calculated her effort.
“During the run, the same athlete who had pushed the bike pace pulled away again, but halfway through the run I started closing the gap. After overtaking her, I focused on keeping a steady pace and not going out too hard — I knew there was a risk of blowing up. But I kept extending the lead and felt in control, especially in the final lap.”
Her win in Samorin represents a huge milestone for the young athlete from Loenhout — not just in terms of results, but in maturity and confidence.
“To be able to finish like that, with such a strong performance, gives me a really good feeling. I’m super happy with this win — hopefully it’s the start of a great season ahead, which I’m really looking forward to.”
We at Classified are proud to support athletes like Hanne who push boundaries and race with intelligence, grit, and heart. Here’s to the rest of a promising 2025 season — and to many more moments like this one.
Find out more
Aero Chainring
