Overview:
Cyclists from around the world took on Palau’s stunning roads at the 2025 Beauty & the Beast Cycling Challenge. Guam’s Blayde Blas and Japan’s Miho Matsui claimed top honors, while Palau’s rising triathletes gained valuable race experience in the internationally acclaimed event.
By: Summer Kennard
KOROR, Palau — “Yesterday’s event had incredible energy,” Japan’s Miho Matsui said after topping the women’s 50-kilometer field at the 2025 Beauty & the Beast Cycling Challenge, setting the tone for a day marked by strong performances and international competition.
Fifty cyclists from Palau, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Poland, New Zealand, the Philippines, Guam and Saipan lined up on Nov. 23 for the annual event, organized by the Belau Triathlon Federation (BTF). The race featured two distances: the 50-kilometer “Beauty” and the 100-kilometer “Beast.”
In the long-course open/elite division, Guam’s Blayde Blas successfully defended his title, clocking the day’s fastest overall time in 3 hours, 12 minutes and 27 seconds.
Great Britain’s Tim Linsell led the age-group long-course division with a finishing time of 4:09:12.
Palau national triathlete Mark Taksiau posted the top men’s 50-kilometer result, finishing in 1:47:32 as he continues preparations for upcoming regional competitions.
Matsui, a cycling influencer with more than 200,000 followers, dominated the women’s 50-kilometer race, winning in 1:41:19. She was followed by Palau national triathletes Elengoi Gibbons in 1:58:53 and Ebiklou Ngiraswei in 2:03:12.
BTF President Leah Asanuma said the event provided valuable race exposure for Palau’s rising triathletes. “This event was an excellent opportunity for Elengoi and Ebiklou to test their cycling skills and endurance as they prepare for upcoming competitions,” she said.
Matsui, invited by the Palau Visitors Authority and Japanese race organizers, praised both the competitive atmosphere and the hospitality she experienced on-course. “I experienced the warmth of the people and the beauty of nature while riding road bikes,” she said, adding that she hopes to help attract more Japanese cyclists next year. Organizers thanked volunteers, medical teams, state partners and community supporters for ensuring a smooth, well-coordinated race day.
