Highlights – Men’s 2025 Tiszaujvaros World Cup
Source: World Triathlon (https://www.triathlon.org) – Always think for yourself and verify.
My Personal Take: You’re Never “Too Late” to Shine
I still remember the day I thought it was “too late” to pick up a new passion. I was on the fence about trying triathlon—just like in finance, I believed I had missed the right moment to invest. But as I’ve learned (and as Lionel Sanders, Mr. No Limits, often reminds us), there’s no such thing as “too late”—it’s never too late to rewrite your own success story.
Watching the 2025 Tiszaujvaros World Cup final was another powerful reminder of this truth. I saw athletes who had every reason to doubt themselves—injuries, tough winters, new beginnings—but they stormed past those mental barriers with a sense of purpose that could inspire even the most skeptical among us. Here’s the breakdown of the epic men’s race in Tiszaujvaros, Hungary.
Zonga Layman: The Beacon of Dominance
Victory by Layman. That phrase has practically become a broken record in Tiszaujvaros, as Zonga Layman powered his way to his fifth consecutive World Triathlon Cup win. From the moment he stepped onto the course, he oozed confidence, energy, and the unmistakable home support that seemed to carry every stride he took. His well-timed efforts during the swim, bike, and run phases were a masterclass in race strategy, reminding me of that unstoppable upward curve we see in exponential growth graphs.
Layman’s approach highlighted the beauty of trusting the process—he stayed patient during the challenging swim leg (complete with congested, multi-lap setup and tricky buoys), then formed a front-running unit on the bike that carved out a crucial time advantage. By the run, he was as calm and composed as someone who realizes they have more in reserve than anyone else on the course. True to Tiszaujvaros tradition, he kicked it up another notch, extending his dominance for an unforgettable finish, firmly solidifying his legend in this Elite men’s World Triathlon Cup.
Igor Dew: Surprise Silver for France
Next up, a name few expected to see in the top ranks: Igor Dew of France. Like a savvy investor who calculates risk-before-reward, he skipped his share of bike pulls, saving precious energy for when it mattered. Perhaps he took a page from those who focus on marginal gains, because he stayed just under the radar, only to surge in the final kilometers. The chasing efforts from the pack never quite materialized in time, and Dew’s composure paid off with an incredible silver medal.
People might question his tactic of drafting and staying conservative. But in triathlon, like in business, sometimes the smartest move is to conserve your “spend” until you can find a moment to scale, or in this case, break away. The end result? A brand-new podium finish for Dew and a confidence boost that will probably trigger more podium-worthy performances in the future.
Mark Devet: Emotional Home Soil Triumph
Mark Devet has had a rough winter—injuries can feel like a double whammy, halting progress both physically and mentally. Yet in Tiszaujvaros, he turned adversity into motivation that propelled him onto the podium. Grabbing third place at a World Cup event, especially in Hungary, brought an emotional layer to the entire competition.
It’s a reminder of how powerful resilience can be—you don’t always need to “feel” 100% to execute a race that shows 100% of your heart and soul. Devet rode strong with the front-running athletes, built upon that crucial 50-second lead on the bike leg, and held on in the run to secure bronze. For him, it was more than just a podium—it was a statement that no winter is too harsh, no injury too limiting if you’re willing to do the work. Our bodies are indeed the perfect machines, if we care for them and push them consistently.
Martin Cropko: Another Hungarian Star on the Rise
Finishing just outside the podium was Martin Cropko, a young Hungarian whose promising performance...
Who won the elite men’s World Triathlon Cup in Tiszaujvaros?
Zonga Layman won the elite men’s World Triathlon Cup in Tiszaujvaros, marking his fifth consecutive victory at this event.
How did Igor Dew secure the silver medal?
Igor Dew of France claimed the silver medal with a strong performance in the swim and a strategically paced race, optimizing his energy use by skipping turns on the bike.
What was significant about Mark Devet's podium finish?
Mark Devet's third-place finish was his first podium in a World Cup event, made more meaningful as it was achieved in his home country following a tough winter dealing with injury.
What challenges did athletes face during the swim leg?
The swim leg posed challenges due to its congested, multi-lap setup with multiple buoys, which led to frequent contact between athletes and created early separation among the leaders.
How did the leaders create a decisive gap during the bike leg?
The leaders, including Layman, Dew, and Devet, worked effectively as a group during the bike leg to establish a 50-second lead, which was critical in shaping the race's outcome despite the chasing pack's efforts.
#TriathlonSuccess #HungarianDominance
