Rico Bogen Claims Commanding Victory at 2025 T100 San Francisco

German triathlete finally breaks through with dominant performance after years of near-misses

Rico Bogen delivered the performance of his career on May 31, 2025, claiming a decisive victory at the T100 Triathlon World Tour event in San Francisco. The German athlete’s commanding win—his first major triumph since the 2023 70.3 World Championship—came after a series of heartbreaking near-misses, including third place at this same race in 2024 and a runner-up finish at November’s T100 Tour grand finale in Dubai.

Perfect Conditions at the T100 San Francisco

San Francisco’s iconic course provided a stunning backdrop as athletes dove into the bay with Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge framing the start. Unlike 2024’s challenging conditions, clear weather and favorable currents kept the field tightly bunched through the 2km swim, with 19 of the 20 elite athletes exiting the water within 20 seconds of each other.

American Marc Dubrick led the charge out of the water, followed closely by South Africa’s Jamie Riddle, but Bogen positioned himself perfectly in the lead group—setting the foundation for what would become a masterclass in tactical racing.

Bogen Dominates on Two Wheels

The German’s race-winning move came during the 80km bike leg, where he recorded the day’s fastest split of 1:54:50. By the halfway point, Bogen had dropped defending champion Marten Van Riel and 2024 runner-up Kyle Smith, building a lead that would prove insurmountable.

“Bogen asserted himself midway through the bike leg,” pulling away from the chase group with surgical precision. By T2, his advantage had grown to nearly two minutes—a gap that effectively decided the race.

Closing Out Under Pressure

Despite the San Francisco heat, Bogen never wavered during the 18km run. His 1:00:40 run split may not have been the fastest of the day—Belgium’s Jelle Geens clocked 59:40—but it was enough to secure a comfortable victory margin.

Crossing the line in 3:15:53, Bogen finished 1 minute and 53 seconds ahead of Geens, with Germany’s Mika Noodt rounding out the podium in third. The commanding nature of his victory stood in stark contrast to 2024’s dramatic sprint finish, where Bogen had to settle for bronze.

T100 San Francisco Race Results

Position	Athlete	Country	Time	Swim	Bike	Run
1	Rico Bogen	GER	3:15:53	16:46	1:54:50	1:00:40
2	Jelle Geens	BEL	3:17:46	16:44	1:57:44	59:40
3	Mika Noodt	GER	3:19:22	16:48	1:57:54	1:01:01
4	Kyle Smith	NZL	3:19:38	16:44	1:57:30	1:01:34
5	Jamie Riddle	RSA	3:19:53	16:35	1:56:40	1:02:41

Penalties Shake Up the Field

The race wasn’t without drama. Jamie Riddle, who had swum himself into early contention, was handed a 30-second transition penalty that cost him valuable time. Meanwhile, Youri Keulen received a drafting penalty that ended his podium hopes, demonstrating how quickly fortunes can change in elite triathlon.

A Breakthrough Moment

This victory represents more than just another race win for Bogen—it’s validation of his persistence and growing maturity as an elite athlete. Since his breakthrough 2023 season, the German has consistently placed himself in winning positions, only to see victory slip away in the final moments.

The T100 Tour’s prestige makes this win particularly significant. With a $250,000 prize purse per race and $25,000 awarded to the winner, the series attracts the world’s best long-distance triathletes. Bogen’s commanding performance not only earned him the winner’s check but also positioned him strongly in the season’s overall rankings.

Looking Forward

Bogen’s San Francisco triumph signals his arrival as a genuine force in professional triathlon. Having finally converted his undeniable talent into a marquee victory, the German enters the remainder of the T100 season with renewed confidence and the knowledge that he can close out races when it matters most.

For a sport that often rewards tactical patience over pure power, Bogen’s ability to seize control mid-race and maintain his advantage under pressure marks him as one to watch for the remainder of the 2025 season.