With about six weeks to go before the triathlon spectacle in Almere kicks off, it is clear which Dutch pro athletes are allowed to start at the European Long Distance Championship during Challenge Almere-Amsterdam. On September 12th, no fewer than nine male elite athletes will get the chance to showcase their best, while four women will compete against each other and, of course, a strong field of international world-class athletes.
For the men, Niek Heldoorn, Milan Brons, Olaf van den Bergh, Jesse van Hulst, Pascal Franken, Marijn Markusse, Pim van Diemen, Lucas Voets, and Stijn Jansen have been selected to battle over 3.8 kilometers of swimming, 180 kilometers of biking, and 42.2 kilometers of running. Heldoorn, Brons, and Van Diemen in particular are seen as serious contenders for a podium spot and perhaps even the win. Heldoorn previously finished second at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam in 2022, but did not race in Almere after that for various reasons. Brons finished third back in 2023, and in the years that followed, he also finished in the top ten: in 2024 Brons crossed the line in fifth place and last year in seventh.
For the women, Maaike Vooren, Dieske Kruisselbrink, Morena Stevens, and Kyra Meulenberg have been selected for the European Championship in Almere. Vooren finished seventh last year at Challenge Almere-Amsterdam and could very well be the key Dutch face this time around. Meulenberg is likely her most dangerous competitor; she has not raced in Almere before and is experiencing only her second year as a pro athlete. Meulenberg is not known as a strong swimmer – something that does apply to Vooren – but usually really starts to pick up speed during the bike and run.
Challenge Almere-Amsterdam takes place from September 10th to 13th. The European Long Distance Championship will be held on Saturday, September 12th. As always, the start and finish are located at the Esplanade in the city center of Almere.
