When the Race Brain hivemind gets together to rank HYROX athletes, it’s not casual. It’s not diplomatic. It’s not “everyone gets a gold star.” It’s a data-fueled, opinion-laced, borderline heated debate where no one escapes unscathed—not even Rich Ryan.

In the latest HYROX Rundown episode, the panel (Matt, Michelle, Greg from RoxLyfe, and Jack Bauer) locked in their final top five male athletes heading into the 2025 HYROX World Championships. There were hot takes, statistical haymakers, and yes, a few politely ignored shoutouts to the Doubles division.

Let’s get into it.

Consensus? For Once, Yes.

Believe it or not, three of the four panelists submitted the exact same men’s top five. That’s right—after months of arguing about sled drag splits and Pro Doubles relevance, we got consensus.

Here’s how the dust settled:

1. James Kelly

2. Alexander Roncevic

3. Tim Wenisch

4. Rich Ryan

5. Beau Wills

We’ll break down why each athlete made the cut—and who nearly crashed the party.

🥇 James Kelly: The Undisputed #1

JK has been the most complete, consistent male athlete of the HYROX season. When he races, he wins—or at worst, podiums. He’s physical. He’s tactical. He doesn’t blow up. He shows up.

The panel didn’t even debate his spot at #1. It was a rare moment of peace on Race Brain. The guy is that dialed in right now.

Greg put it best: “He’s just so hard to beat on any course. No real holes in his game.”

If Vegas has odds, he’s your betting favorite heading into Chicago.

🥈 Alexander Roncevic: The Silent Killer

You don’t hear a lot of chatter about Alexander, but maybe that’s the problem. The man doesn’t talk—he just collects podiums. He’s been stacking top finishes across Europe like it’s a part-time job.

The panel unanimously slotted him at #2, and it makes sense. He’s efficient on stations, strong on sleds, and improving his running. Not flashy, just lethal.

Jack reminded us: “He’s been one of the most consistent athletes in Europe. And if this race turns tactical, Alex is a nightmare to deal with.”

Underestimate him at your own risk.

🥉 Tim Wenisch: The Machine from Munich

Glasgow? Second. Hong Kong? Second. A guy who just keeps finding ways to be in the mix, no matter what continent he’s on.

His style? All gas, minimal mistakes. If you beat Tim, you earned it. Period.

Michelle pushed back on his #3 ranking, arguing for another name we’ll get to in a moment. But the numbers—and Tim’s trajectory—are hard to ignore. He doesn’t disappear. He gets better. And his Doubles performance with Beau Wills in Paris was another reminder: this guy’s ceiling is still rising.

#4 Rich Ryan: America’s Semi-Sweetheart

Rich being on the list is not a “friend bonus” from the panel. He earned this.

His Miami Doubles effort with Pelayo was electric, and he’s put together a strong season with a mix of elite performances and raw grit. He’s not just hanging around—he’s contending.

Greg and Jack both had him fourth. Matt (yes, that Matt) had him… fourth. Democracy in action, folks.

The only knock? We’ve seen higher peaks from others. But in terms of consistency, veteran savvy, and sheer willpower, Rich is firmly in the top five.

And no, he didn’t vote himself higher. Chill.

#5 Beau Wills: Kiwi on the Rise

Beau is the name that sparked the most curiosity this episode—and for good reason.

His third-place finish in Vegas and fourth in Glasgow were massive statements. The panel couldn’t ignore it. He’s been improving rapidly, and his station work is starting to catch up to his engine.

Is he a podium lock? No. But is he a legit podium threat in Chicago? Absolutely.

Michelle had other ideas for this fifth spot (we’ll get to that), but Beau got three out of four votes. That’s called momentum, baby.

The Great Rylan Schadegg Debate

Michelle threw the first spicy wrench in the convo when she dropped Rylan Schadegg into her #5 spot. And honestly? It wasn’t crazy.

The case:

  • He’s insanely talented.
  • When healthy, he can beat anyone.
  • His Doubles performance in Miami with Kent was lights out.

But the rebuttal was swift:

  • He hasn’t raced solo since late 2024.
  • Health questions still linger.

Jack summed it up: “If we’re talking pure talent, Rylan’s top 3. But we just haven’t seen enough of him this season.”

So for now, he’s off the list—but very much on the “dangerous if healthy” watchlist.

Pelayo Menendez vs. Tim Wenisch

Michelle also tried to sneak in Pelayo Menendez, citing his 48:31 Doubles time as a mic drop. Jack even confirmed: Pelayo holds a 4-2 all-time head-to-head record over Tim Wenisch.

Game over, right?

Not quite.

Greg countered with major placements—Tim has them, Pelayo doesn’t. When the lights are brightest, Tim’s been on the podium. Pelayo’s been just outside.

Michelle’s argument was strong, but the panel stuck with Tim. More podiums. More proven.

Still, keep an eye on Pelayo.

The “What Actually Matters” Question

This debate wasn’t just about names—it was about criteria. And the panel made it clear that how we evaluate HYROX athletes still comes down to a few core principles:

  • Recent performance matters.
  • Consistency beats occasional brilliance.
  • Doubles count—but not as much as Majors.
  • You have to beat top talent head-to-head.

Everyone brings their own flavor. Some weigh Doubles more, some value PRs, some trust the eye test. But if you’re not racing—and not racing well—it’s tough to stay in the five.

Final Thoughts

The men’s field heading into World Champs is stacked. We’re talking about a group where a podium finisher or even a future world champ (Rylan? Pelayo?) didn’t make the top five.

That’s how good this sport is getting.

And while James Kelly currently wears the crown, the distance between #1 and #6 has never been tighter.

Chicago is going to be chaos. Just how we like it.