Joep Staps Joep Staps

Joep Staps

Hometown: Tillburg, the Netherlands

Joep Staps

Age: 31
Hometown: Tillburg, the Netherlands

'Work hard. Crush goals.' Joep Staps

Joep's Story

Joep is a real multisport athlete, racing duathlon, sprint and Olympic distance, offroad with cross triathlon and middle distance / 70.3 races as well. It won’t take long before also the full distance will be conquered.

I played football and unfortunately got injured. I started coaching and in the meanwhile built up my fitness again. During that process, I signed up for a local duathlon for fun. I liked it so much that I started training seriously and was invited to the national team. After the duathlon I started to swim and got involved in triathlon as well.

I like to challenge myself to improve by setting goals. Although those goals are ambitious, I like the journey towards goals the most. I am aware of the luck I have to be able to train daily, travel the world and enjoy sports and learn so much from the highs and the lows. That is what shapes me and what I will use for the rest of my life.

Joep Staps Athlete Bio

GREATEST CHALLENGES:
Swimming, no just kidding. Being injured and coming back from setbacks is difficult; however, it makes the journey even more beautiful.

SEASON GOALS:
European championships cross and middle distance (both elite), XTERRA (Joep won the race in Oman in 2024) and Challenge/Ironman 70.3’s.

KEY RESULTS:
Multiple times national champion, 6th at European Championships and 9th at World Championships Elite Cross Triathlon.

STRONGEST DISCIPLINE:

Running.

Joep Staps Athlete Bio

TOP 3 SWIM TIPS FOR SOMEONE GETTING STARTED IN TRIATHLON:

• Swim together: that’s more fun.

• Always end your pool session with 1 lane focusing on the perfect stroke/technique.

• Enjoy open water swims, don’t forget safety first (coloured swim cap, use a buoy).

WHICH ZONE3 KIT DO YOU RECOMMEND THE MOST/HAVE FOUND THE MOST USEFUL:

By far the Vanquish-X. I was a big fan of the Vanquish however the new –X version feels like a second skin and provides buoyancy exactly where you need it.

FUN FACT:

I have a dog (border collie) who loves to swim.