World number seven Youri Keulen has ruled himself out of the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships in Taupo this week.

The Dutch star was sixth in the event last year and enjoyed the biggest victory of his career so far when winning T100 Singapore as a wildcard in brutally humid conditions in April.

He’s struggled to replicate that form since though but was 11th at the T100 Grand Final in Dubai in mid-November which saw him finish ninth in the overall standings, with the top 10 earning a contract for the 2025 season.

‘Mentally, I also felt like I was done’

Keulen had been looking to round off his triathlon year in New Zealand but writing on Instagram on Tuesday he said: “No 70.3 worlds for me ?

“After getting sick following Dubai, my body just didn’t recover enough to handle the training needed for 70.3 Worlds. Mentally, I also felt like I was done.

“I gave everything I had this season and its been more the I could ever imagine at the start but I just couldn’t bring the form or preparation required for a race at this level.

“Thank you to my sponsors, partners, and team for all the support this season. Now it’s time for a long, easy build toward the new year.”

Wilde the man to beat?

Keulen is the latest big name to be ruled out of Sunday’s men’s race, with a long and busy campaign seemingly taking its toll.

Norwegian duo Kristian Blummenfelt and Gustav Iden, winners of three of the last four editions, ended their seasons early and didn’t travel.

Last year’s second and third Frederic Funk and Jan Stratmann miss out as does 2021 runner-up Sam Long.

And a bike crash in training meant fan favourite Lionel Sanders also called an early halt to his year.

But there’s still a stacked field and arguably the favourite for the men’s race is home favourite Hayden Wilde who is moving back up in distance after his silver medal at the Olympics.