Search
shop

Lange and Laidlow set for showdown at Challenge Gran Canaria

There's been a change of plan from Kona runner-up Sam Laidlow who will now start his season at Challenge Gran Canaria.
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Patrick Lange, Sam Laidlow and Ruth Astle are all scheduled to kick-off their seasons at Anfi Challenge Mogán-Gran Canaria on April 22nd.

Germany’s two-time IRONMAN World Champion Lange was last in action at IRONMAN Israel in late November when a 2:30:31 marathon blitzed the field and saw him claim an emphatic win.

Laidlow change of plan

sam-laidlow-kona-2022-run-3
Sam Laidlow in action at Kona last year (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

But he’ll face stiff opposition in the shape of Laidlow who produced the performance of his career so far when beating all bar Gustav Iden in the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona last season.

The Frenchman had initially suggested his first race of 2023 “will probably” be the PTO European Open in Ibiza on May 6th but, speaking this week, he said on Instagram: “Not too long before dusting the cobwebs off!

“I want to start my season a little earlier than I mentioned in my last YouTube video. I’m going to go to Challenge Cran Canaria and I have some unfinished business – I was leading that race two years ago and binned it on the bike so can’t wait to go back.”

Also set to line up are the likes of Florian Angert (GER), Aaron Royale (AUS) and Pablo Dapena Gonzalez (ESP), who are ranked #9, #11 and #32 respectively in the latest PTO world rankings.

Brits to dominate?

On the women’s side the top-ranked athlete in PTO terms looks set to be Ruth Astle, but will a fellow Brit be her biggest competition?

Like Lange she rounded off last season with victory at IRONMAN Israel – and also produced a stellar run with her first sub-3hr marathon.

She’s had a big block of training in Spain this year and among her rivals is fellow Brit and last week’s IRONMAN 70.3 Lanzarote runner-up India Lee. Astle’s highest profile results have been over the full distance, while Lee (sixth in Israel on her debut over the distance), overcame a five minute penalty at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, to finish 11th. She will certainly expect to put time into Ruth over the opening 1.9km swim.

IRONMAN 70.3 Lanzarote 2023 Pro Women podium: Anne Haug, India Lee, Elisabetta Curridori
The top three at IRONMAN 70.3 Lanzarote 2023 [Photo Credit: IRONMAN]

Also on the startlist is Germany’s Svenja Thoes who earlier this year was reinstated as the winner of IRONMAN Ireland after initially being disqualified.

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumTriathlon’s mid-season report card: Tim Don on who’s raising the bar this triathlon race season
TRI-FIT VANGUARD tri suit review
The entry-level tri suit with a serious amount of performance for the price point – TRI-FIT VANGUARD review
Hayden Wilde bike supertri Boston 2024 photo credit supertri
Premium10 ways to make your road bike faster and more aero for triathlons
Kristian Blummenfelt photo credit: PTO Canadian Open
PremiumIs your gut health impacting your performance? The untapped potential of good gut health for triathletes
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
PremiumHas triathlon reached peak performance? Tri experts and legends on how much faster triathletes could get
latest News
Triathlon superstar Hayden Wilde to make shock comeback at London T100
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘Intimidating’ to go into Worlds after four months off – but Lionel Sanders up for the challenge
Georgia Taylor-Brown Alex Yee Super League Triathlon Malibu 2021
Triathlon’s most decorated Olympic duo now honoured by their former University
Olav Aleksander Bu Photo credit: Roj Ferman | Surpas
Top triathlon coach Olav Aleksander Bu says it’s all about the team after Uno-X bag first Tour de France win
Danielle Lewis (USA) takes the win in Lake Placid.
IRONMAN Lake Placid 2025: Date, start time, how to watch and who’s racing
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...