GB triathlete Isabelle Franco says training and studying in Bath has been a “game changer” as she is named as Athlete of the Month
Recent GB debutant Isabelle Franco says joining the Bath Triathlon Performance Centre has been “a real game changer” after she was named as the latest Team Bath Rengen Athlete of the Month.
Franco, who began studying and training at the University of Bath in October, was selected for the April accolade after finishing a fantastic fourth for British Triathlon – just four seconds outside the medals – at the European U23 Duathlon Championships in Poland. Her time of 57:32 was also good enough for a top-10 spot in the senior rankings.
She had qualified for the Europeans by winning individual and team gold for the University at November’s BUCS Duathlon Championships, and enjoyed more medal success in the Blue & Gold during the recent May Bank Holiday Weekend as she won women’s silver at the BUCS Sprint Triathlon Championships in Tavistock.
“It’s really a huge honour to be selected as Athlete of the Month here at the University of Bath, amongst some of the best athletes in the world,” said Franco, one of more than 160 student-athletes supported in their dual careers by the Student Performance Sport Breakthrough Programme.
“A year ago, when I was just beginning my journey into triathlon and choosing my PhD in Bath, I couldn’t have imagined that I’d be representing my country on an elite stage and be a serious contender in a championship race.
“I started here back in October and did BUCS Duathlon the following month. It’s all kind of skyrocketed from there as that win earned me a place at the Europeans where I finished fourth, which was honestly completely unexpected. The race was intense, fast, and unforgiving—everything you’d expect at the elite level – and I gave everything I had to stay competitive right to the finish.
“It was such an honour to race with the British team and be amongst some of the best athletes. It’s been a really great experience having such a successful season and it’s only the beginning!”
Franco joined Bath to progress both her academic and sporting careers. She is a Research Programme in Health PhD student, researching the relationship between muscle loss and body fat in ageing, and does her running, swimming and strength and conditioning training at the Team Bath Sports Training Village, home to a British Triathlon Performance Pathway Centre. Cycling takes place at the nearby Odd Down Sports Ground.
“Joining the Bath Triathlon Centre has been the biggest game changer of my sporting career,” said Franco, who is coached by Jack Hall. “The coach and athletes have welcomed me with open arms, made training really fun and they’ve been tremendous in getting me to the next level.
“It’s completely different to how I was training before and I can’t be more grateful to have this professional and individualised training set-up while also being in an amazing group. Thank you so much to everyone that has got me here.”
The Athlete of the Month award celebrates the achievements, commitment and dedication of student-athletes on the Breakthrough Programme, which provides bespoke support designed to help student-athletes maximise their academic and sporting potential. Applications for the 2025-26 academic year open on Friday 30th May, visit www.teambath.com/breakthrough-programme for more information.
Both the award and the Breakthrough Programme are supported by Team Bath partners Rengen, whose headquarters are based in Argyle Street in Bath city centre. They have extensive experience in the development of boutique purpose-built student accommodation, residential accommodation and commercial units. Find out more by visiting rengendevelopments.com and rengenlettings.com.
Pictured top: Triathlete Isabelle Franco, the Team Bath Rengen Athlete of the Month for April 2025, with University of Bath Director of Sport Stephen Baddeley (left) and Performance Sport Officer Sarah Collin.
