‍Daisy Davies takes an incredible victory at the Ironman African Championship in South Africa and secures her Hawaii qualification. Cameron Main top ten in world class field at Ironman Texas.

Daisy Davies delivered a masterclass from gun to tape to claim a commanding victory at the IRONMAN African Championship in South Africa, stamping her authority on the race from the very first stroke. The British athlete took the front right at the start of the swim, kept extended her lead on the bike to a maximum of 16 minutes and managed that gap perfectly during the closing marathon. With a time of 8:46:30, she crossed the finish line to break the tape and take her first win for the Bianchi Pro Triathlon Team in her very first outing in celeste. Daisy was joined on the podium by Katrine Christensen (DEN; 8:57:59) and Daniela Bleymehl (GER; 8:59:55).

Daisy Davies toed the line in South Africa with ambition. The British star wasted no time asserting control, surging to the front early in the swim and never relinquishing her grip on the race. By the halfway point she had already carved out a 2:30 advantage, stretching that to over four minutes by the time she exited the water in a solo-leading 55:05.

If the swim set the tone, the bike blew the race apart. Davies quickly settled into a relentless rhythm, extending her lead lap after lap on the demanding course. Averaging close to 38 km/h, she systematically dismantled the field, opening up a staggering 16-minute gap by T2. Her 4:39:41 bike split was not just the fastest of the day—it was the decisive move that put the race beyond reach.

From there, it was all about control. Davies managed the marathon with the composure of a seasoned champion, keeping her pace steady while her rivals struggled to make inroads. Though the chasers clawed back a couple of minutes early on, the deficit never dropped below 13 minutes. Calm, calculated, and completely in command, she powered through the final kilometers to stop the clock at 8:46:30.

The result not only crowned her IRONMAN African Champion but also marked a dream debut victory for the Bianchi Pro Triathlon Team—her first appearance in celeste, her first win.

With her outstanding victory, Daisy Davies also booked her place at the IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii. She becomes the second Bianchi Pro Triathlete to secure a Kona slot, joining Cameron Main.

Afterwards Daisy Davies relfected on her performance: “This victory means a lot. It’s my first win for the Bianchi Pro Triathlon Team and my first major IRONMAN victory, which makes it a very special day. I felt strong all day, but the final 15K of the run was tough. I started to cramp a bit, so I really had to manage my pace. I’m proud of how I was able to stay in control of my race, even when it got difficult. I’m also really pleased to have secured my Kona qualification—it sets me up nicely for the rest of the season.”

Cameron Main top 10 in a world-championship-level field at Ironman North American Championship in Texas

A day earlier, Cameron Main delivered a strong and encouraging season opener at the IRONMAN North American Championship in Texas, finishing 10th in a world-championship-level field in The Woodlands.

Already qualified for Kona, the Brit was targeting a solid performance and executed well across all three disciplines. He settled into the lead group during the swim despite a fast and physical start, exiting the water in 10th place. Positioning proved challenging due to constant contact throughout the swim, but a quick transition ensured he remained well placed heading onto the bike.

On the Texan bike course, the pace was fast and aggressive. Main rode attentively in the front portion of the lead group, with strong numbers reflecting how well he was moving. However, towards the end of the bike, he began to suffer from lower back pain, which would impact the early stages of his run.

Despite this, he started the marathon in an impressive 3rd position. The discomfort initially forced him to ease back, and he slipped to around 12th place while trying to find his rhythm. As the race progressed, however, he began to recover. On the second lap, he linked up with Gustav Iden and started working his way back through the field, picking off athletes ahead.

The final lap proved especially demanding, with heat and humidity intensified by earlier rain showers, creating conditions reminiscent of Kona. As fatigue set in and his body began to overheat, the closing kilometers became a test of survival. Nevertheless, Main held firm to cross the line in 7:33:02, securing 10th place in a highly competitive field.

Proud of my race

Reflecting on his race, Main expressed satisfaction with his performance:
“I’ve had a pretty good overall race. I can’t complain to come away with a top 10 in this world-class field and in these hard conditions as well. It felt like Kona with the heat and humidity after the rain showers on the run.

It was a fast and tough swim from the start. Finding solid positioning wasn’t easy as there were a lot of hits the whole way. I managed to have a fast transition to ensure a good position on the bike in the front group. On the highway, I felt strong as the numbers showed as well. I did start to suffer from some lower back pain towards the end though. That impacted my pace in the first part of the run as it felt quite sore.

It all got better going into the second lap and that’s where I felt like I was able to move up some spots again. In the final lap, I felt my body starting to suffer and I began to overheat, so it was complete survival towards the end. But that’s one of those learning things. I’m glad to come away with a top 10 in this field, but I’ve got a lot more to come this season and have a big year ahead.”

Teammate Antonio Benito Lopez also lined up in Texas and showed strong form early on. He raced in the front group alongside Main during both the swim and bike and moved into 4th place during the opening stages of the run. However, after dealing with illness in the days leading up to the race, his condition began to take its toll. Ultimately, he was forced to withdraw at the halfway point of the marathon.

‍