Kieran Storch made it back-to-back titles at Challenge Taiwan on Saturday, April 26 — crossing the line in Taitung in 3:42:08 to defend the crown he first claimed in 2025. Then came the women’s race, and arguably the day’s more memorable moment: Julie Derron winning convincingly, with her sister Nina finishing second behind her.
More than 10,000 athletes competed across both days. It’s the largest triathlon in Asia, and one of the biggest mass-participation events on the global calendar.
Men’s Race — Storch Hunts Down Zorgnotti
Frenchman Benjamin Zorgnotti led out of the water in 25:40. He held the front through the two-lap coastal bike course — a rolling route north from Taitung, hugging the Pacific coastline between the Carp Mountains and the sea — and still carried a 2:00 gap into T2. Storch had been closing steadily throughout the second lap, though, and arrived with intent.
The Australian moved through Zorgnotti at approximately the ten-kilometre mark of the run. He never looked back. The final margin was 3:51 over the Frenchman, who clocked 3:45:59. The biggest mover of the day was compatriot Rhys Corbishley — up from ninth to third, securing his first professional podium in 3:55:58. Sven Altermatt (SUI) and Brett Clifford (NZL), both considered pre-race threats, did not feature in the final standings.
Storch’s winning time improves notably on his 2025 victory, when he edged out Jack Moody by just fifteen seconds in 3:46:39. Saturday’s 3:42:08 suggests sharper form and, by his own account, a deliberate approach to the bike.
“I had a usual swim for me and the plan was to ride as hard as I could. I was hoping for a tail wind but there wasn’t one! The showers coming through made it hard to see so I really had to concentrate.” — Kieran Storch
Storch confirmed he’s staying in Taiwan for another week of training, with plans to return mid-year for a five-to-six week block. He passed up T100 Singapore to defend here. That decision has now paid off twice.
Women’s Race — A Family Podium for the Derrons
Julie Derron was first out of the water in 26:06, with New Zealand’s Rebecca Clarke a split-second behind and Nina Derron — Julie’s sister — a further 3:03 back in third. What followed was a steady exercise in controlled demolition.
By the 45-kilometre bike mark, Julie had 3:06 on Clarke and 4:35 on Nina. By T2, she’d extended her lead significantly, with Nina and Clarke having closed together at the sharp end of the chase pack. On the run, the Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist leaned on the finishing speed that defines her racing. She was never threatened.
Final times: Julie Derron, 4:03:29; Nina Derron, 4:16:22; Rebecca Clarke (NZL), 4:22:01. Julie Derron — coached by Brett Sutton, whose programme also produced Nicola Spirig and Daniela Ryf — shared a podium with her sister at one of Challenge Family’s flagship events.
“It’s actually a challenging bike course and you have to keep the power on the whole time. I wasn’t sure how my run legs would be — it took a couple of kms to get into it — but I knew I had a gap and I also know my run is my strength. To share the podium with my sister and see her have a great day is amazing.” — Julie Derron
Julie described conditions as “a lot cooler than I expected,” crediting an early connection with Clarke in the swim before taking control on the bike.
What’s Next
The Challenge Family calendar continues with Challenge Cesenatico and Challenge Salou–Costa Daurada, both on May 10, followed by The Championship in Šamorín, Slovakia on May 24. The marquee event on the second half of the calendar remains DATEV Challenge Roth on July 5.
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