Search
shop

IRONMAN 70.3 Lanzarote 2023 results: Nieschlag takes big win

Justus Nieschlag of Germany beat Mathis Margirier of France and Thor Bendix Madsen of Denmark to take the win at IRONMAN 70.3 Lanzarote.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

German Justus Nieschlag, who last weekend competed at the Arena Games Triathlon in Sursee, took a big win at the other end of the spectrum at IRONMAN 70.3 Lanzarote on Saturday.

Nieschlag, who announced his move up to middle distance triathlon after being dropped by the German Federation at the end of 2022, beat Frenchman Mathis Margirier and Dane Thor Bendix Madsen in a closely fought contest.

Advertisement

Swim – Nieschlag leads from the front

In the water, Nieschlag showed his pedigree as an athlete who can swim with some of this best short course athletes in the world, by putting almost 10 seconds into 2022 PTO number one ranked swimmer Andrew Horsfall-Turner to come out of the water with a small lead over the rest of the Top 10.

Amongst that front group who entered T1 alongside the German Olympian were fellow countryman Rico Bogen, Britain’s Josh Lewis, Horsfall-Turner, former IRONMAN 70.3 Lanzarote winner Daniel Baekkegard and four other men.

In T1, BMC athlete and uber cyclist Madsen had +1:18 deficit to the front and former champion Pieter Heemeryck had a little over 30 seconds to make up.

Bike – Madsen makes his move

Following eighth place at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships last year, Madsen appeared to be a young star in the making. After being picked up by the BMC Pro Team at the end of 2022, the 23 year old seemed to have had a solid winter of training under his belt before stepping on the start line this weekend.

Immediately on the bike, Madsen began to make up the deficit to the front, and reached the lead group of Nieschlag, Bogen and Margirier by the 58km checkpoint. By now, Nieschlag’s hot pace at the front of the race had meant Baekkegard, who is renowned for his cycling ability, had lost more than 90 seconds to the front.

Over the final 30km, this front group of four continued to extend their lead, with Madsen content to stay with the two Germans and the Frenchman as the gap back to some of the pre-race favourites, including Baekkegard and Heemeryck, stretched out past two minutes.

By T2, it was clear that unless one of the leading four had gone too hard, the medals would be decided between them. Bogen led out onto the run, with Nieschlag in hot pursuit, as the two Germans got the jump on Margirier and Madsen in T2 to open up a little buffer for the opening kilometres.

Former champions Heemeryck and Baekkegard came into T2 together at +2:19, with Lewis a further minute back in seventh place, and the rest of the top-10, which included France’s Yvan Jarrige, American Colin Szuch and Belgian Dieter Comhair (recent winner of the Volcano Triathlon), more than six minutes off the pace.

Run – Nieschlag leaves it late

Out on the run course, Nieschlag led out hard, dropping Bogen early on and making the most of the small advantage he had gained over Margirier in T2 to keep the Frenchman at around 30 seconds back up until halfway. By the 11.2km checkpoint, the German seemed clear in front, with Margirier 25 seconds back and Bogen and Madsen left to battle for third.

Over the final 8km of the race, however, both Germans seemed to falter, as Madsen overhauled Bogen to put himself in a podium position and Margirier being rewarded for his persistence, as the Frenchman made up almost 30 seconds in 5km to get up to Nieschlag’s shoulder coming into the final 400m.

Justus Nieschlag - IRONMAN 70.3 Lanzarote 2023 winner
Photo Credit: IRONMAN

Nieschlag, fortunately, had enough in the tank to hold off the fast finishing Frenchman, as he took his third middle distance win in four starts, with Margrier 15 seconds back in second and Madsen rounding out the podium at +1:54.

IRONMAN 70.3 Lanzarote 2023 Results – PRO MEN

Saturday 18 March 2023 – 1.9km / 90km / 21.1km

  • 1. Justus Nieschlag (GER) – 3:54:57
  • 2. Mathis Margirier (FRA) – 3:55:13
  • 3. Thor Bendix Madsen (DEN) – 3:56:51
  • 4. Rico Boguen (GER) – 3:59:15
  • 5. Daniel Baekkegard (DEN) – 4:00:49
  • 6. Pięter Heemeryck (BEL) – 4:01:40
  • 7. Josh Lewis (GBR) – 4:02:47
  • 8. Yvan Jarrige (FRA) – 4:02:56
  • 9. Dieter Comhair (BEL) – 4:03:34
  • 10. Colin Szuch (USA) – 4:05:05
IRONMAN 70.3 Lanzarote 2023 Pro Men podium: Justus Nieschlag, Mathis Margirier, Thor Bendix Madsen
Photo Credit: IRONMAN
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
tri-fit vortex tri suit review
TRI-FIT VORTEX tri suit review – race day approved performance
Maja Stage Nielsen Kat Matthews Jocelyn McCauley IRONMAN Texas 2023 podium photo credit IRONMAN
PremiumRacing to keep up: Is social media making us train harder?
Cadomotus chronos aero triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL
PremiumTraining to heart rate vs power on the bike
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
latest News
Georgia Taylor Brown smiles Supertri Toronto 2025
‘It might take a miracle but I’ll give it my best shot’ – can GTB repeat Supertri Chicago win?
Sam Renouf CEO of the PTO
T100 Valencia replacement announced as PTO chief acknowledges “challenges” with 2025 calendar
ironman hamburg 2025 podium laura philipp kat matthews solveig lovseth
Matthews and Løvseth clash again in star-studded IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See
Jonny Brownlee with bike transition Supertri Toronto 2025
Supertri Chicago 2025: Date, start time, how to watch live and who’s racing
Frederic Funk media day Challenge Roth 2025
IRONMAN Switzerland starts ‘Road to Kona 2026’ for Funk and co
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.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£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

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£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...