Search
shop

Gustav Iden thinks “the age of the superbikers is gone” in triathlon with complete race needed

Gustav Iden on the IMWC and what it takes now to win at the highest level
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Gustav Iden, the 2022 IRONMAN World Champion from Kona, watched from the sidelines last weekend as the man he caught in the dying stages of the marathon 11 months ago claimed his first world title.

Sam Laidlow, who came so close before being run down by the Norwegian on the Big Island last October, was utterly dominant across the board this time around, as he took the win by almost four minutes.

Commentating on the live broadcast during the race, Iden noted that the era of the “superbiker” now seems to be all but over, with Laidlow, despite his dominant display on two wheels, still having to run a 2:41 marathon to hold off Patrick Lange for the win.

Advertisement

Iden on ‘superbikers’

Making his comments whilst discussing Magnus Ditlev, Iden noted that the Dane seemed to have transitioned from relying on his bike prowess to becoming the complete triathlete, with his focus now on putting together the best complete race possible.

“I don’t think Magnus [Ditlev] is aiming for the fastest possible bike split, I think he is thinking more like a triathlete and I think the age of superbikers is gone, you have to run so fast these days to perform at the end of a triathlon.

“No-one is really looking at the fastest bike split anymore, it’s just about who crosses the finish line first. I really hope that Magnus is being smart and not over-pacing himself and then we will see maybe his best marathon ever.” 

Ditlev did indeed end up running his second fastest marathon split outside of Challenge Roth, with winner Laidlow going more than three minutes quicker than his next best performance in an Ironman.

Sam Laidlow / Gustav Iden - IRONMAN World Championship 2022
Photo Credit: Glen Murray for KoruptVision/IRONMAN

Perhaps showing signs of the dawning of a new era, Laidlow split the fifth fastest swim, fastest bike and sixth quickest run to win in Nice.

The Frenchman’s strength across the board, and his ability to put together such a tremendous run off the bike, is a real indicator that the level just keeps on increasing every year at the IRONMAN World Championship.

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
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
Laura Philipp wins the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship in Nice, France
IRONMAN World Champ looking for SIXTH straight win on race return at 70.3 Kraichgau
Richard Varga farewell The Championship in Samorin 2025
Quadruple multi-sport world champion “smiled through the suffering” at his ‘last dance’
Kristian Blummenfelt wins 703 Aix en Provence 2025
Kristian Blummenfelt eyes IRONMAN World Championship 1-2-3 for Norwegians
Kat Matthews vs Laura Philipp
IRONMAN Hamburg pro women’s start list: Laura Philipp vs Kat Matthews in World Championship rematch
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders says he went to a “dark place” to fuel his latest IRONMAN win
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...