Search
shop

David McNamee reveals WHY he will not race at IRONMAN World Championship in Nice

David McNamee explains why he won't be racing at the IMWC in Nice.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

David McNamee, one of Britain’s most successful current IRONMAN World Championship competitors, has revealed the reasons why he won’t be in Nice this September.

The Scot, who finished third at back-to-back IRONMAN World Championships in Kona in 2017 and 2018, has struggled with injuries in recent years. It is the impact of an old injury which will be keeping him away from the start line in France in September.

Sharing the difficulties he has faced with nerve damage since a bike crash in 2014, McNamee doesn’t believe he has the technical skills required to tackle the hilly bike course in the South of France, and instead he will go all in on Kona 2024.

Advertisement

David McNamee on Nice no-go

In his most recent Instagram post, McNamee explained his decision not to race in Nice and explains why his nerve damage makes descending in a race environment very difficult.

The Championship 2019 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
Thomas Davis and David McNamee

“Nice World Champs – I won’t be there. It’s a beautiful course (I rode it three times in four days) but I took the decision earlier this year not to try and compete in Nice. My main reason – I know I won’t be able to race the long descent competitively whilst staying in control of what I am doing.

“In 2014 after a bike crash I ended up being operated on twice to try and save my ability to move my hand. Thankfully the operations went better than expected and I was able to get back to chasing my dream of being a world champion.

“However I was left with permanent nerve damage which mainly affects my ability to control and feel my fingers. Unfortunately most days now I struggle with descending on a bike. The best description I can give is that it’s like trying to control a bike with a frozen hand.”

Kona dream lives on for Scottish star

McNamee added that preparing for a world championships course that he knew would be beyond his technical ability given the injury was too much to ask of himself mentally, but confirmed that Kona was still very much in his sights.

“Mentally I don’t want to put myself on a World Championship start line knowing I don’t posses the technical skills needed for the course in order to compete for the podium. The dream of winning Kona is still very much alive and I look forward to that challenge in 2024.”

Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
Kona scenic 2022 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
The survey results which prompted IRONMAN’s dramatic Kona U-turn
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

Share to...