Search
shop

Dutch star Youri Keulen is latest big name to be ruled out of men’s IRONMAN 70.3 World Champs

Long season looks to be taking its toll on the men's race in Taupo as T100 Singapore hero joins those on the sidelines.
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

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.

Advertisement

‘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.

Youri Keulen on floor finish line Singapore t100 2024 photo credit PTO
Youri Keulen gave it absolutely everything in Singapore [ Photo credit: PTO]

“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.

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
The PTO's CEO Sam Renouf
PTO reveal ambitions of matching Roth and Kona as French Riviera T100 triathlon course details unveiled
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘No No No’ – Sam Long says he felt ROBBED by swim cancellation at ‘69.1 Chattanooga’
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
Jonny Brownlee / Jonathan Brownlee - Super League Triathlon London 2023
Did the Brownlee brothers nearly join pro cycling’s Team Sky after 2012 Olympic heroics?
Kristian Hogenhaug interviewed after The Championship 2025
Danish triathlon star highlights blistering bike split as key to The Championship success.
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...