HYLO® Team Saar begin 2026 Bundesliga season in Kraichgau
Season opener in Kraichgau
Saturday (30 May 2026) marked the start of the new 1. Triathlon‑Bundesliga season for HYLO® Team Saar. The opener in Kraichgau was the first of five competitions, which are returning to some longstanding locations in 2026. After finishing as runner up last year, the team are heading into the new season with a clear goal in mind: to bring the championship back to Saarland.
‘Our team are looking forward to the season opener in Kraichgau and an exciting Bundesliga season with lots of exciting competitions and emotional moments’, the sports management noted.
Kraichgau has long been the traditional start of the Bundesliga and offers a special setting for the season opener, with the scenery around Ubstadt‑Weiher and full audience stands, the day before the Ironman 70.3.
The race in Kraichgau will be in relay format – boasting four athletes per team, short distances, fast-paced action and close finishes. The women start at 4:30 p.m., the men at 6:30 p.m.
The course in Kraichgau
Kraichgau is a quick but tactically challenging route. The 300‑metre swimming course reaches a tight turning buoy early on, the cycling section contains a 180‑degree U‑turn as its key moment, and the run is extremely short at just 1.5 kilometres. Gaps are nearly always small. Quick transitions, clean positioning and strong finishes will be crucial. This format means that the winner is often not decided until the last few metres.
The men’s later start also adds a tactical component: the teams can draw initial conclusions from the women’s results and tighten their processes accordingly for the evening race.
Squad depth is key for 2026
HYLO® Team Saar have gained some targeted reinforcements to increase their stability throughout the season. Justus Töpper and Luca Fahrenson are two young German talents joining the team who will be making their Bundesliga debuts in Kraichgau. The team will also be relying on some experienced old-hands: Justus Nieschlag and Tim Hellwig are still some of the team’s leading members, but will not be available for every race due to international commitments. No-one has left, meaning that the sports management still have the same full range of options as in recent years.
A new addition to the Bundesliga for 2026 is the U23 special rankings, helping to encourage young athletes’ transition to the elite. This fits the philosophy of HYLO® Team Saar well: in addition to its sporting ambitions, promoting young athletes has long been an integral part of the team’s philosophy. HYLO® Team Saar are seeking to provide talented German triathletes with an opportunity to continue their development at top national level.
More options thanks to Viernheim/Saar
The HYLO® Team Viernheim/Saar joint team provides significantly more options for the women’s event. Viernheim signed four new athletes shortly before the start of the season, including Annika Koch and Bianca Seregni, who both boast international experience. The team has also been supplemented by talented young athletes Hanna Röser and Millie Breese, who are seeking to gain their first experience in the Bundesliga. For the relay team, this means greater depth, more tactical options and a broader foundation for the season.
Review of 2025 and relay mission
Coming second in the 2025 championships was the result of a strong season but also one with some unforgettable moments. This included second place in the mixed‑team relay in Dresden. They started in a promising position, the race was broadcast live, the crowds were huge – and ultimately, they were only a few seconds away from the win. The aim for 2026 is clear: the relay will once again be a core component in their battle for the title. With a broad squad and improved tactical focus, the team will be seeking to bring the title home to Saarland.
Overview of the season
After the opening event in Kraichgau, on 19 July the schedule takes things to Tübingen, before the Bundesliga lines up at the start of the FINALS 2026 in Hanover on 25 July. The FINALS are a major multi-sport event combining numerous different Olympic and non-Olympic sporting disciplines into a single weekend. The Triathlon‑Bundesliga is an integral part of this and gains a major showcase thanks to live broadcasts on ARD and ZDF.
21 August then brings the race in Immenstadt, followed on 5 September with the Bundesliga season finale at Maschsee lake in Hanover.
The Bundesliga is adding a new element for 2026 with the ‘lucky chaser’, giving athletes who have been narrowly knocked out a second chance at the final and making the races more dynamic. In addition, new special rankings will highlight fast splits, strong performances by young athletes, and notable team efforts.
HYLO® Team Saar are now embarking on a season where many things are possible. They have the right combination of experience, young talent and new depth to the squad. Kraichgau will be the first acid test – and an opportunity to send a strong message straight away.
We are looking forward to the season opener in Kraichgau and wish HYLO® Team Saar a strong start to a long, exciting Bundesliga season.