The race to qualify for this year’s IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships concludes this weekend as ten athletes get set to do battle for the one remaining spot at September’s middle-distance showdown.
In what promises to be a thrilling dress rehearsal, the athlete who wins their championship finals place must first have proved their worth on the very course where they are hoping to secure passage – Nice.
One of IRONMAN’s most iconic – and indeed difficult – 70.3 courses, it will play host to the women’s final on Saturday, September 12, and the men’s competition a day later.
But first, there is the small matter of qualifying, and with only one slot up for grabs, this weekend’s visit to Nice represents the absolute final opportunity for ten of the 16 triathletes lining up on the French Riviera.
Here’s all you need to know…
Start times and how to watch
The race gets underway at the Plage des Ponchettes at 06:20 local CET on Sunday, June 28. In the UK, this will mean a 05:20 start, while in the USA it is 00:20 in the east (EDT), 23:20 on Saturday (CDT), and 21:30 on Saturday on the Pacific Coast (PDT).
Due to this race not being a part of the Pro Series, there is no live coverage on the IRONMAN YouTube channel, but you can follow the action via the IRONMAN athlete tracker app. For more information on how to watch, click HERE.
The course
Offering the very best of the Côte d’Azur and nestled between the sea and the mountains, Nice is one of the most iconic venues for triathlon in the world.
Starting off with a 1.9km loop in the clear Mediterranean waters of Plage des Ponchettes, situated in front of Quai des Etats-Unis, the athletes then head out on a challenging 90km bike course, which takes in picturesque villages and steep elevations before heading back towards the coastline.
The run is a two-loop 21.1km trek along the palm-lined Promenade de Anglais. A historic place that has hosted world champions and athletes from all corners of the globe, the finish line is one of the most spectacular on the circuit and will surely be a cauldron of emotions once again on Sunday.
Pro women – last chance saloon to secure Nice return
In terms of the pro athletes, this race is for the women only, and as previously mentioned, ten of the starting 16 will most certainly have their hopes set on securing the last spot for a World Championships return.
The full list of ten athletes entering this race without a place at the worlds includes Tanja Neubert (GER), Anne-Sophie Pierre (FRA), Jeanne Collonge (FRA), Sandra Huon (FRA), Nina Derron (SUI), Luisa Iogna Prat (ITA), Mathilde Cartier (SUI), Heather Low (CAN), Carla Dahan (FRA), and Juliette Lucet (FRA).
Among the standout athletes is French favourite Marjolaine Pierre (FRA), who arrives fresh from the female European Championship race at IRONMAN Hamburg European Championship, where she placed fourth against one of the strongest fields in the sport.
Pierre also performs well on home soil, most recently taking victory at IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence, making her a strong contender for the win on Sunday.
Neubert leads the pack of ten hopefuls
She will be joined by Neubert, who will make her season debut in 2026. Neubert burst onto the scene last year with a third-place finish at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Marbella, Spain. Clocking an impressive 4:22:07, she is certainly one to watch on race day.
Also lining up is Britain’s Lizzie Rayner (GBR), known for her consistency across the middle-distance circuit. Rayner most recently secured a top-ten finish at IRONMAN 70.3 Aix-en-Provence and will be aiming to challenge for a podium position this Sunday.
Other French athletes to highlight include Anne-Sophie Pierre, Collonge, Huon (FRA), Nikita Paskiewiez (FRA), Dahan (FRA), Lucet (FRA) and Aurelia Boulanger, who won at IRONMAN 70.3 Mont-Tremblant last weekend.
