Triathlon
Saturday
March 7, 2026
Bahrain Victorious Unleashes Powerhouse 2026 Line-Up
Bahrain Victorious has revealed its official lineup for the 2026 season, announcing one of the strongest squads in the world of triathlon and endurance sports a move that reflects Bahrain's continued ambitions to cement its place at the forefront of global athletics. The project is an extension of the vision led by His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, aimed at building a world-class sporting legacy that combines excellence, ambition, and national pride, by attracting elite world champions to compete under the Bahrain banner for the sport's biggest titles.
Leading the squad is Belgian Jelle Geens, World Champion of Ironman 70.3, who made history by becoming the first Belgian to win two rounds of the World Triathlon Championship Series (WTCS), before transitioning to middle and long-distance racing and claiming the Ironman 70.3 World Championship title on his debut in Taupō, then successfully defending it in Marbella, Spain. Britain's Kat Matthews continues to cement her status as one of the most powerful names in endurance sport, having claimed the Ironman Pro Series title twice alongside three Ironman runner-up finishes, remaining a cornerstone of Bahrain's pursuit of world titles.
The 2026 roster also sees the return of Britain's Georgia Taylor-Brown, one of the most decorated athletes in Olympic triathlon history, having claimed Olympic individual silver and mixed relay gold and bronze, as well as world titles and medals at the Commonwealth Games. The squad also features American Taylor Knibb, who made an immediate impact in her first season with the team, taking silver at Ironman Texas, victory at T100 Vancouver, and silver at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship, establishing herself as one of the leading contenders for the world title this season.
France's Cassandre Beaugrand Olympic champion and six-time world champion is among the team's most prominent stars, having made history as the first French woman to win Olympic gold in triathlon, achieving the rare golden double by clinching both the Olympic and world titles in the same year. Fellow Frenchman Vincent Luis, two-time world champion and Olympic mixed relay bronze medalist, continues his successful transition to long-distance racing following his victory at the Ironman 70.3 Middle East Bahrain and a fourth-place finish on his full Ironman debut at Challenge Roth.
Belgium's Martin Van Riel has maintained his strong rise in long-distance racing, following silver at the African Ironman Championship, victory at Ironman 70.3 Nice, and a fourth-place finish on his Ironman World Championship debut, before rounding off his season with a podium at the T100 Series Final. Completing the picture is Portuguese star Vasco Villaca, one of the most versatile athletes in the sport, having claimed WTCS bronze and Supertri League silver before adding Ironman 70.3 Bahrain silver on his first appearance at that distance, confirming his place as one of the team's key assets in major championship racing.
With this constellation of world and Olympic champions, Bahrain Victorious enters the 2026 season with clear ambitions: to compete at the very highest levels, to continue representing Bahrain with pride, and to build an enduring sporting legacy that places the Kingdom firmly on the map of the world's greatest endurance sport events.
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A Packed Calendar Strengthens Bahrain's Standing in Karting During the 2025–2026 Season
Bahrain International Circuit for Karting continues to host a series of competitive championships and events throughout a packed 2025–2026 season, featuring a rich program of races and activities catering to drivers of all age groups and levels.Leading the season was the Bahrain Rotax Max Challenge, which concluded with its eighth and final round on 2 May 2026 to strong participation from prominent local and regional competitors. The season also saw the continuation of the Bahrain Karting Endurance Championship (BKEC), which ranks among the Kingdom's most prestigious endurance karting competitions.Through these events, Bahrain International Karting Circuit reaffirms its commitment to developing young talent and honing drivers' skills, by providing a competitive environment that meets the highest international standards on an FIA-CIK homologated track. The circuit, located in the Sakhir area, stands as one of the world's premier karting facilities, having hosted numerous international and regional championships over the years and playing a role in producing talents who have gone on to compete across various motorsport categories.The circuit also continues to offer a diverse range of programmes and activities aimed at expanding the reach of karting in Bahrain and attracting greater participation and audiences. The varied programme of the 2025–2026 season reflects Bahrain International Karting Circuit's dedication to supporting grassroots motorsport and reinforcing the Kingdom's standing as a leading karting destination in the Middle East.
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Bahrain Hosts the Final Round of the 2026 FIA Karting World Championship
The FIA Karting has confirmed the inclusion of Bahrain International Karting Circuit in Sakhir on the 2026 FIA Karting World Championship calendar, with the Kingdom set to host the season-closing round of the World Championship in the OK and OK-Junior categories from 4 to 7 November 2026.Bahrain's hosting of this global event marks a landmark moment on the Kingdom's karting calendar, bringing together elite young drivers from around the world to compete for world championship titles in one of international karting's most competitive categories.According to the official calendar issued by the FIA Karting, Bahrain will bring the 2026 season to a close following a series of European rounds held in Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, and Sweden, before the spotlight turns to Sakhir for the pinnacle world championship event in the OK and OK-Junior categories.Bahrain International Karting Circuit holds a distinguished standing on the world stage, having previously hosted major world championships. The return of the FIA Karting World Championship to Bahrain for the first time since 2016 is a significant step, reflecting international confidence in the Kingdom's organisational capabilities and advanced motorsport infrastructure.The championship is expected to attract wide participation from the most prominent rising talents in global karting, in an event that further cements Bahrain's standing as one of the Middle East's foremost motorsport destinations.
May 17, 2026
Bahrain International Karting Circuit Continues Supporting Young Talent Through a Packed Racing Calendar
Bahrain International Karting Circuit (BIKC) continues to strengthen its position as one of the region's premier karting destinations, through hosting a diverse range of championships and events across its 2025/2026 season calendar, contributing to the development of emerging drivers and raising the level of competition both locally and regionally.The circuit hosts two of the Kingdom's most prominent competitions: the Bahrain Rotax Max Challenge (BRMC) and the Bahrain Karting Endurance Championship (BKEC), both of which provide valuable opportunities for drivers to gain experience and qualify for prestigious international championships. The current season saw the Bahrain Rotax Max Challenge conclude its eighth and final round on 2 May 2026, drawing strong participation from elite drivers across Bahrain and the wider region, with racing that remained fiercely competitive right down to the final metres.Bahrain International Karting Circuit stands among the world's leading facilities, featuring an FIA-CIK homologated track stretching 1.414 kilometres. It also holds the distinction of being the first circuit in the world to host a karting world championship under floodlights, further cementing Bahrain's standing on the international motorsport map.The circuit's ongoing racing calendar reaffirms Bahrain International Karting Circuit's commitment to growing the sport's grassroots, nurturing emerging talent, and establishing the Kingdom as a global sporting destination that attracts the most prestigious motorsport events and championships.
