Search
shop

Gustav Iden gives his verdict on Sam Laidlow’s ‘truly insane’ IMWC Nice performance

There's been huge mutual respect between the last two IRONMAN World Champions
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Gustav Iden has called Sam Laidlow‘s IRONMAN World Championship-winning performance “truly insane” and says he can’t wait to resume their rivalry next year.

The Norwegian star set a course record time when winning on his debut in Kona in 2022, overhauling Laidlow late on the run, but could only watch and admire from the sidelines last week in Nice as the Frenchman claimed his crown.

Advertisement

‘A champion in all respects’

This year has been hugely difficult for Iden, both on a personal and professional level, and he ended it early to re-focus on 2024.

The Paris Olympics have been his stated aim but it sounds like it won’t be long before he again moves back up in distance.

Writing on Instagram, alongside the photo below, he said: “Everybody is working hard, but it takes a lot of courage to win the @ironmantri World Championship.

“To attack the course like @samlaidlow did, especially after a challenging season is truly insane.

“A champion in all aspects of the word. Looking forward to battle him and the rest of the guys next year :)”

Sam Laidlow / Gustav Iden - IRONMAN World Championship 2022
Sam Laidlow and Gustav Iden at Kona in 2022 [Photo Credit: Glen Murray for KoruptVision/IRONMAN]

‘Let’s put on a show’

The “challenging season” for Laidlow has included a DNF after leading IRONMAN Lanzarote due to gut issues and a liver infection, a torn calf muscle at Challenge Roth when in a similar position and then a bout of COVID just three weeks before Nice.

All of which made his victory all the more impressive and he was one of the first to respond to the post, matching Gustav’s sportsmanship by saying: “You raised the game mate. Don’t forget that. Let’s put on a show 🫱🏼‍🫲🏽”

As well as the mutual respect it was also good to hear that Iden, who added some fantastic insights from the commentary booth in Nice, is now relishing a return to the race arena as he signed off his post with: “Very motivated to get back to it now, but courageous enough to keep the off-season going for a bit longer.”

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
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
latest News
Challenge Family The Championship 2024 - Women Pro Podium
Challenge The Championship 2025: PRO women’s race podium predictions
Alex Yee thumbs up Paris Olympics 2024 photo credit world triathlon
Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee on Ironman plans and another epic challenge
Marten Van Riel high fives finishing straight T100 Ibiza 2024 photo credit PTO
Vancouver T100 2025 men’s start list: Marten Van Riel leads all-star cast
Challenge Family The Championship 2024 - Men Pro Podium
Challenge The Championship 2025: PRO men’s race predictions as Funk looks to finally secure the top step
Lucy Charles-Barclay on the run at IRONMAN France 2024
British triathlon superstar Lucy Charles-Barclay returns to where it all began at IRONMAN Lanzarote
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...