Zittau, Germany stood as the battleground for legacies as the 16th XTERRA European Championship joined forces once again with the 25th anniversary of the O-SEE Challenge. It was the fifth time this venue has hosted the stand-alone continental title race. With 29 years of XTERRA off-road triathlon history and a quarter-century of O-SEE heritage, two families came together in the border triangle of Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. More than a thousand athletes and thousands more fans lined Lake Olbersdorf and the surrounding trails to witness the clash of leaders, legends, and a new wave of talent. The atmosphere carried through the weekend and proved to be the perfect lead-up to the XTERRA World Championship at the highest caliber of competition.
On the championship stage, Solenne Billouin (FRA) captured the women’s Elite title while Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen (DNK) won the men’s Elite race. The fastest age group finishers were Michael Fuchs (DEU, 20–24) and Paula Leupold (DEU, 20–24). Youth champions were crowned across all three divisions for the first time in European Championship history, with Bastien Lambercier (CHE) and Milena Lindner (DEU) taking Youth A victories, Pietro Bellemo (ITA) and Lisa Salzmann (DEU) topping the Youth B races, and Till Altmann (DEU) and Naja Eschler (DEU) winning the Junior division.
This was Stop 7 of the 2025 XTERRA World Cup and the final Full Distance race before the series finale in a live Short Track clash in Molveno, Italy next month. Marta Menditto (ITA) secured the women’s World Cup crown thanks to her consistency across the season, while the men’s race for the title remains as close as ever with the Forissier brothers and several top contenders still battling for points and podium positions. To celebrate it all, the afterparty carried the same monumental energy as the racing itself, a legendary gathering that will be remembered as much as the performances on course.
What began as a friendly dare in 2000 at Lake Olbersdorf has grown into one of XTERRA’s most iconic venues, hosting European and World Champions across the years. Chief Organizer Dr. Klaus “Benno” Schwager calls the lake and its surroundings “ideal for a special competition format like cross triathlon,” and with the debut of the European Youth Championship, he says the Youth Tour now “raises the competition level for young people enormously and attracts sports-mad families from around the world.”
Race weekend played out under clear skies with air and water temperatures both steady at 25 °C, creating near-perfect conditions for competition. The Full Distance course demanded precision through a 1.5K swim in Lake Olbersdorf, a 37K mountain bike with more than 1,000 meters of climbing, and a winding 10K trail run through forested singletrack. Along the way, thousands of fans lined the trails and packed into the signature 180-degree wooden berm curving out over the water, their cheers carrying athletes across one of Europe's most challenging and memorable courses.
Solenne Billouin (FRA) rose to the top in Zittau, securing the women’s Elite crown in 3:08:55 with a masterful display of pacing and control. The reigning three-time World Champion put in the fastest bike split of the day (1:52:51), building the gap she needed to hold off Aneta Grabmüller (CZE) and Isla Hedley (GBR). Grabmüller claimed second in 3:11:26, while Hedley, who led the field out of the water with the fastest swim (21:02), completed the podium in 3:14:33.
Billouin credited her victory to patience and focus on a course that never gave athletes time to settle. “I knew this would be a really hard race, so my focus was simply on myself,” she said. “The terrain is always changing, so you have to stay concentrated. On the run, I kept the pace I knew from training, didn’t look back, and just focused on myself.” She also pointed to Loanne Duvoisin (CHE) as a major threat, praising her strength even after a setback. “Loanne was very strong but had bad luck with her bike. She’s definitely one to watch in the World Championship because she has huge power.” Despite the mechanical issues, Duvoisin still delivered the fastest run split of the day in 46:27 and finished in seventh. Billouin’s victory reinforced her place at the top of the sport and added another championship title to her growing legacy.
Among the age groupers, Paula Leupold (DEU, 20–24) was the first across the line in 3:30:23. “My swim was really good. It was great water and I really enjoyed it. I felt really good on the bike and passed a lot of riders there. Starting into the run, I felt a bit tired and I was not sure if I could hold it. But I recovered during the first lap and then I could do it on the run as well,” she said.
Loren Ward (GBR, 35–39) added a European title of her own, describing a race that felt equal parts demanding and joyful. “The run was a right old adventure,” she said. “There’s an extra element to it. It’s not necessarily just who is the fittest, it’s who is the most skilled as well. Everyone’s so friendly. It’s like a little festival.”
There were plenty more incredible women who captured European Championship titles in their respective age groups, and the full list of results can be found here.
Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen (DNK) stormed to the men’s Elite crown in 2:37:48, building his win with the fastest bike split of the day (1:33:35). “I had a good swim, just hanging on at the back of the big group and really squeezing to stay there,” he said. “On the bike I could finally pace it my own way, push on the technical parts, and it felt good to ride off the front almost the whole way. On the run I was scared of seeing monsters behind me, so I didn’t dare to look back. When Arthur came quicker than expected on the second lap, I had to make a kick, and that secured the win. This week I just felt like people had to be on another level to beat me, so I knew I could win if I stuck to my plan.”
Arthur Serrières (FRA) surged with the fastest run (39:48) to finish just 22 seconds back in 2:38:10, while Felix Forissier (FRA) held on for third in 2:42:35. The day’s fastest swim belonged to Emile Billaut (FRA) in 19:49, showing the depth of the French field.
The age group field was led by Michael Fuchs (DEU, 20–24) who was the first across the line, saying, “On the bike I had good pressure on the pedals and kept a good pace.” He added that off-road racing is more rewarding because “you need to be present all the time, uphill and downhill.”
Julian Müller (DEU, 30–34) earned his first XTERRA European crown with a race he described as demanding but memorable. “The swim was hectic, and I went out too fast on the bike, but overall it was a good race,” he said. “The run was tough, but the course is very cool and the people are really nice.”
Milan Kulman (CZE, 45–49) fought through a goggle mishap in the water to secure his division’s title. “The bike was the best part — technical, demanding, and long,” he said. “XTERRA is a big show, and I was surprised by how many German athletes came to race.”
More age group champions added their names to the XTERRA history books, with full men’s results available here.
The future of XTERRA was on full display with the debut of the European Youth Championship, contested across three divisions on courses tailored to test the next generation of off-road talent.
Junior Division – Sprint Triathlon (750m swim / 26K bike / 5K run)
Naja Eschler (DEU) claimed the women’s crown in 1:50:39, praising both the course and the community. “It was an incredible atmosphere here with the people, it’s just so much fun. The course is really well made, and overall the whole competition feels very unique. For us it has already become a tradition to come here every year.” Mila Lantelme (FRA) and Inès De Sousa (FRA) completed the podium. On the men’s side, Till Altmann (DEU) powered to victory in 1:37:27, calling it “the best event I always take part in — so much fun to race here.” Ole Eschler (DEU) and Nicholas Bellemo (ITA) took second and third.
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Youth B – Lite Triathlon (500m swim / 10K bike / 3K run)
Pietro Bellemo (ITA) took the boys’ title in 39:58, attacking hard from start to finish. “On the bike I gave everything I had, pushing from start to finish. I realized I had a gap and just went all out until the last meters,” he said. He also highlighted the role of the event in inspiring new athletes: “Here in Germany, a lot of people become passionate about this sport through this race. It was a long journey to get here, but it was definitely worth it” Evan Tosh (IRL) and Matyáš Kulman (CZE) rounded out the podium. In the girls’ race, Lisa Salzmann (DEU) struck gold in 46:36, later admitting, “The run at the beginning was extremely hard, but it got better toward the end. Overall, I’m very happy.” She was joined on the podium by Boróka Zilahy (HUN) and Andela Brenková (CZE).
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Youth A – Super Sprint (300m swim / 6K bike / 2K run)
Swiss talent Bastien Lambercier (CHE) captured the boys’ crown in 27:31 with a commanding performance built from the water up. “I was second out of the water, then on the bike I tried to open a gap. I gave everything to win,” he explained. Lasse Paul Rother (DEU) and Linus Gasch (DEU) finished close behind. In the girls’ race, Milena Lindner (DEU) showed her determination to win in 30:51. “The run was challenging, but it was fun because every lap brings a new test. The community here is very cool, very open to everyone,” she said. Chloé Lambercier (DEU) and Kira Mohr (DEU) joined her on the podium.
The addition of the Youth European Championship brought a new challenge to the continent’s toughest off-road event, ensuring their next generation of XTERRA athletes now have their own stage to shine.
At the European Championship in Zittau, Marta Menditto (ITA) finished fourth to earn 75 points in the final Full Distance race of the 2025 XTERRA World Cup, enough to seal the overall women’s title with 702 points. Consistency proved decisive, with Menditto’s steady scoring across the 2025 series putting her out of reach before next month’s Short Track finale. Behind her, the race for the podium remains open. Aneta Grabmüller (CZE, 553), Alizée Paties (FRA, 550), Hannah Lee Young (AUS, 500), and Emma Ducreux (FRA, 472) are all still in contention for second and third overall. Paties had been unbeaten earlier in the season with victories in Australia, Greece, Weston Park, and Oak Mountain, but missed Quebec and then the last two stops due to a stress fracture.
“I’m really happy to have won the World Cup, even though it was something I never imagined and it wasn’t even a goal for this season,” Menditto said. “That makes it feel a bit magical, like a dream. At the same time, I can’t help but think of Alizée. She is my teammate, my friend, and I know how much this title meant to her. I feel like this win belongs to both of us. It’s half mine and half hers, and I truly hope she feels proud knowing that I’ve kept it in the family.” The two train together and travel together, and Menditto’s wish to share the crown shows the kind of bond that defines the XTERRA Family.
On the men’s side, the theme of family continues. Brothers Felix Forissier (FRA, 710) and Arthur Forissier (FRA, 698) have been locked in a season-long battle for the top spot, and with 75 Short Track points still available in the series finale, either could claim the crown. The duel between the brothers will decide the champion, while the contest for third also remains wide open with several athletes still in the mix. Find out more at xterraplanet.com/world-cup.
The 2025 XTERRA European Championship and O-SEE Challenge came together to mark milestones for both communities and showed how deeply a fully immersive festival elevates off-road triathlon across the continent. Athletes, volunteers, fans, and organizers all played a part in raising the weekend to the highest level. For the full stories of the weekend, visit @XTERRAeurope.
Zittau, Germany stood as the battleground for legacies as the 16th XTERRA European Championship joined forces once again with the 25th anniversary of the O-SEE Challenge. It was the fifth time this venue has hosted the stand-alone continental title race. With 29 years of XTERRA off-road triathlon history and a quarter-century of O-SEE heritage, two families came together in the border triangle of Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. More than a thousand athletes and thousands more fans lined Lake Olbersdorf and the surrounding trails to witness the clash of leaders, legends, and a new wave of talent. The atmosphere carried through the weekend and proved to be the perfect lead-up to the XTERRA World Championship at the highest caliber of competition.
On the championship stage, Solenne Billouin (FRA) captured the women’s Elite title while Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen (DNK) won the men’s Elite race. The fastest age group finishers were Michael Fuchs (DEU, 20–24) and Paula Leupold (DEU, 20–24). Youth champions were crowned across all three divisions for the first time in European Championship history, with Bastien Lambercier (CHE) and Milena Lindner (DEU) taking Youth A victories, Pietro Bellemo (ITA) and Lisa Salzmann (DEU) topping the Youth B races, and Till Altmann (DEU) and Naja Eschler (DEU) winning the Junior division.
This was Stop 7 of the 2025 XTERRA World Cup and the final Full Distance race before the series finale in a live Short Track clash in Molveno, Italy next month. Marta Menditto (ITA) secured the women’s World Cup crown thanks to her consistency across the season, while the men’s race for the title remains as close as ever with the Forissier brothers and several top contenders still battling for points and podium positions. To celebrate it all, the afterparty carried the same monumental energy as the racing itself, a legendary gathering that will be remembered as much as the performances on course.
What began as a friendly dare in 2000 at Lake Olbersdorf has grown into one of XTERRA’s most iconic venues, hosting European and World Champions across the years. Chief Organizer Dr. Klaus “Benno” Schwager calls the lake and its surroundings “ideal for a special competition format like cross triathlon,” and with the debut of the European Youth Championship, he says the Youth Tour now “raises the competition level for young people enormously and attracts sports-mad families from around the world.”
Race weekend played out under clear skies with air and water temperatures both steady at 25 °C, creating near-perfect conditions for competition. The Full Distance course demanded precision through a 1.5K swim in Lake Olbersdorf, a 37K mountain bike with more than 1,000 meters of climbing, and a winding 10K trail run through forested singletrack. Along the way, thousands of fans lined the trails and packed into the signature 180-degree wooden berm curving out over the water, their cheers carrying athletes across one of Europe's most challenging and memorable courses.
Solenne Billouin (FRA) rose to the top in Zittau, securing the women’s Elite crown in 3:08:55 with a masterful display of pacing and control. The reigning three-time World Champion put in the fastest bike split of the day (1:52:51), building the gap she needed to hold off Aneta Grabmüller (CZE) and Isla Hedley (GBR). Grabmüller claimed second in 3:11:26, while Hedley, who led the field out of the water with the fastest swim (21:02), completed the podium in 3:14:33.
Billouin credited her victory to patience and focus on a course that never gave athletes time to settle. “I knew this would be a really hard race, so my focus was simply on myself,” she said. “The terrain is always changing, so you have to stay concentrated. On the run, I kept the pace I knew from training, didn’t look back, and just focused on myself.” She also pointed to Loanne Duvoisin (CHE) as a major threat, praising her strength even after a setback. “Loanne was very strong but had bad luck with her bike. She’s definitely one to watch in the World Championship because she has huge power.” Despite the mechanical issues, Duvoisin still delivered the fastest run split of the day in 46:27 and finished in seventh. Billouin’s victory reinforced her place at the top of the sport and added another championship title to her growing legacy.
Among the age groupers, Paula Leupold (DEU, 20–24) was the first across the line in 3:30:23. “My swim was really good. It was great water and I really enjoyed it. I felt really good on the bike and passed a lot of riders there. Starting into the run, I felt a bit tired and I was not sure if I could hold it. But I recovered during the first lap and then I could do it on the run as well,” she said.
Loren Ward (GBR, 35–39) added a European title of her own, describing a race that felt equal parts demanding and joyful. “The run was a right old adventure,” she said. “There’s an extra element to it. It’s not necessarily just who is the fittest, it’s who is the most skilled as well. Everyone’s so friendly. It’s like a little festival.”
There were plenty more incredible women who captured European Championship titles in their respective age groups, and the full list of results can be found here.
Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen (DNK) stormed to the men’s Elite crown in 2:37:48, building his win with the fastest bike split of the day (1:33:35). “I had a good swim, just hanging on at the back of the big group and really squeezing to stay there,” he said. “On the bike I could finally pace it my own way, push on the technical parts, and it felt good to ride off the front almost the whole way. On the run I was scared of seeing monsters behind me, so I didn’t dare to look back. When Arthur came quicker than expected on the second lap, I had to make a kick, and that secured the win. This week I just felt like people had to be on another level to beat me, so I knew I could win if I stuck to my plan.”
Arthur Serrières (FRA) surged with the fastest run (39:48) to finish just 22 seconds back in 2:38:10, while Felix Forissier (FRA) held on for third in 2:42:35. The day’s fastest swim belonged to Emile Billaut (FRA) in 19:49, showing the depth of the French field.
The age group field was led by Michael Fuchs (DEU, 20–24) who was the first across the line, saying, “On the bike I had good pressure on the pedals and kept a good pace.” He added that off-road racing is more rewarding because “you need to be present all the time, uphill and downhill.”
Julian Müller (DEU, 30–34) earned his first XTERRA European crown with a race he described as demanding but memorable. “The swim was hectic, and I went out too fast on the bike, but overall it was a good race,” he said. “The run was tough, but the course is very cool and the people are really nice.”
Milan Kulman (CZE, 45–49) fought through a goggle mishap in the water to secure his division’s title. “The bike was the best part — technical, demanding, and long,” he said. “XTERRA is a big show, and I was surprised by how many German athletes came to race.”
More age group champions added their names to the XTERRA history books, with full men’s results available here.
The future of XTERRA was on full display with the debut of the European Youth Championship, contested across three divisions on courses tailored to test the next generation of off-road talent.
Junior Division – Sprint Triathlon (750m swim / 26K bike / 5K run)
Naja Eschler (DEU) claimed the women’s crown in 1:50:39, praising both the course and the community. “It was an incredible atmosphere here with the people, it’s just so much fun. The course is really well made, and overall the whole competition feels very unique. For us it has already become a tradition to come here every year.” Mila Lantelme (FRA) and Inès De Sousa (FRA) completed the podium. On the men’s side, Till Altmann (DEU) powered to victory in 1:37:27, calling it “the best event I always take part in — so much fun to race here.” Ole Eschler (DEU) and Nicholas Bellemo (ITA) took second and third.
Youth B – Lite Triathlon (500m swim / 10K bike / 3K run)
Pietro Bellemo (ITA) took the boys’ title in 39:58, attacking hard from start to finish. “On the bike I gave everything I had, pushing from start to finish. I realized I had a gap and just went all out until the last meters,” he said. He also highlighted the role of the event in inspiring new athletes: “Here in Germany, a lot of people become passionate about this sport through this race. It was a long journey to get here, but it was definitely worth it” Evan Tosh (IRL) and Matyáš Kulman (CZE) rounded out the podium. In the girls’ race, Lisa Salzmann (DEU) struck gold in 46:36, later admitting, “The run at the beginning was extremely hard, but it got better toward the end. Overall, I’m very happy.” She was joined on the podium by Boróka Zilahy (HUN) and Andela Brenková (CZE).
Youth A – Super Sprint (300m swim / 6K bike / 2K run)
Swiss talent Bastien Lambercier (CHE) captured the boys’ crown in 27:31 with a commanding performance built from the water up. “I was second out of the water, then on the bike I tried to open a gap. I gave everything to win,” he explained. Lasse Paul Rother (DEU) and Linus Gasch (DEU) finished close behind. In the girls’ race, Milena Lindner (DEU) showed her determination to win in 30:51. “The run was challenging, but it was fun because every lap brings a new test. The community here is very cool, very open to everyone,” she said. Chloé Lambercier (DEU) and Kira Mohr (DEU) joined her on the podium.
The addition of the Youth European Championship brought a new challenge to the continent’s toughest off-road event, ensuring their next generation of XTERRA athletes now have their own stage to shine.
At the European Championship in Zittau, Marta Menditto (ITA) finished fourth to earn 75 points in the final Full Distance race of the 2025 XTERRA World Cup, enough to seal the overall women’s title with 702 points. Consistency proved decisive, with Menditto’s steady scoring across the 2025 series putting her out of reach before next month’s Short Track finale. Behind her, the race for the podium remains open. Aneta Grabmüller (CZE, 553), Alizée Paties (FRA, 550), Hannah Lee Young (AUS, 500), and Emma Ducreux (FRA, 472) are all still in contention for second and third overall. Paties had been unbeaten earlier in the season with victories in Australia, Greece, Weston Park, and Oak Mountain, but missed Quebec and then the last two stops due to a stress fracture.
“I’m really happy to have won the World Cup, even though it was something I never imagined and it wasn’t even a goal for this season,” Menditto said. “That makes it feel a bit magical, like a dream. At the same time, I can’t help but think of Alizée. She is my teammate, my friend, and I know how much this title meant to her. I feel like this win belongs to both of us. It’s half mine and half hers, and I truly hope she feels proud knowing that I’ve kept it in the family.” The two train together and travel together, and Menditto’s wish to share the crown shows the kind of bond that defines the XTERRA Family.
On the men’s side, the theme of family continues. Brothers Felix Forissier (FRA, 710) and Arthur Forissier (FRA, 698) have been locked in a season-long battle for the top spot, and with 75 Short Track points still available in the series finale, either could claim the crown. The duel between the brothers will decide the champion, while the contest for third also remains wide open with several athletes still in the mix. Find out more at xterraplanet.com/world-cup.
The 2025 XTERRA European Championship and O-SEE Challenge came together to mark milestones for both communities and showed how deeply a fully immersive festival elevates off-road triathlon across the continent. Athletes, volunteers, fans, and organizers all played a part in raising the weekend to the highest level. For the full stories of the weekend, visit @XTERRAeurope.
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