Roberto Sánchez Mantecon

Born in Mislata near Valencia, the 27-year-old’s parents quickly enrolled him in the Tragaleguas.org triathlon school, and having shown early promise, he was awarded a scholarship from the local triathlon federation at the age of 13 to continue training alongside his studies.

In 2015, Roberto moved to Alicante and joined the university triathlon team, combining training and racing with specialising in digital marketing and electronic commerce.

The swim, bike and particularly run potential was clear from the outset and Mantecon became world under-23 champion in 2019 when he defeated a strong field in Lausanne, including several of the triathletes he’ll face in this autumn’s SLT Series such as Matt Hauser, Seth Rider and Max Stapley.

Crowned Spanish champion at junior, Under-23 and senior level, in 2021 he also finished runner-up in the European Championships to France’s Dorian Coninx on home soil in Valencia.

The standout result of his career to date was a third place in the World Triathlon Championship Series in Bermuda in November where he clocked the second fastest run split – even quicker than GB’s Alex Yee – behind team-mate Antonio Serrat Seoane, as France’s Vincent Luis held on for the win.

The result didn’t come out of the blue. Mantecon showed he was in form by finishing ninth in Valencia and fourth in Karlovy Vary in September. It’s continued into 2023 where seventh in Abu Dhabi and eighth in Montreal – both over the sprint distance – have been the standout WTCS results.

Mantecon has also dabbled in non-drafting racing, finishing second in a competitive Challenge Salou last year with the day’s fastest run split where he beat the likes of France’s Sam Laidlow and Clement Mignon. He also won Challenge Davos the year before, this time with the fastest swim.

It should all put him in a good place for more SLT action when he makes his return as a member of reigning champions Bahrain Victorious Scorpions, having last raced on the Super League circuit in Malta in 2019.