The heat and humidity contributed to some spectacular blow-ups by the time we got to the marathon in the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona last Saturday.

And in the sea swim, which started at 0625 local time and with the athletes already in the water rather than diving in, it was notable that a significant number of the male professionals lost their swim caps at some point – was that a marginal gain or just an accident?

That’s the question that none other than Lance Armstrong asks in his latest podcast.

Armstrong and ‘big brother’ Riccitello reunited

The American won the Tour de France, cycling’s biggest race, a record seven consecutive times between 1999 and 2005 but was stripped of his titles after an investigation into doping allegations.

But he started his incredible sporting journey as a triathlete – where he won national titles at sprint distance – and then after his cycling career he again made his mark in swim / bike / run, including a course-record display when winning the IRONMAN 70.3 Hawaii in 2012.

And in his words, his “sidekick, big brother, protector and training buddy” in those triathlon days was none other than Jimmy Riccitello.

Riccitello of course is now the head IRONMAN referee and also the father of up-and-coming pro cyclist Matthew so it was fascinating to hear him catch up with Armstrong and three-time Kona winner Craig Alexander on Armstrong’s latest podcast.

The focus was on the recent IRONMAN World Championship and it’s embedded below – but the early discussion was all around those ‘lost’ swim caps.

‘What a great idea’ says Lance

Armstrong teased it in by saying: “I read the reports which said early in the race someone lost their swim cap. Now this sounds like nothing but then more and more articles had the word “lost” in quotes.

“Would you swim two-and-a-half miles as hard as you can with a piece of rubber on your head, which is one of the main places where you ventilate and regulate temperature?

“In a mass start swim it’s physical, arms are flailing, people are fighting for position… and your goggles get knocked off. I’ve never seen a swim cap come off but I guess it can happen.

“But all of a sudden we’re starting to lose swim caps. I’m not criticising this, I’m more p***ed at myself that I didn’t think of this. I mean what a great idea – say you got hit. I thought it was brilliant, I loved it!”

IRONMAN head ref on swim cap rules

So over to Riccitello then and what was the take of the IRONMAN head referee?

The rules in the athlete guide simply state: “IRONMAN® provides a brightly colored swim cap for each athlete. This cap must be worn throughout the swim.” But there is no detail on any consequences if the cap should come off.

And Riccitello responded: “I didn’t see anything happen. [But] I do think it’s an advantage and it’s something from a rules perspective that the refs are going to have to start looking for. I don’t know the scientific data but I agree with you Lance.

“Full disclosure, we did purposely lose our caps back in the day at some races. At some point it was a pretty popular tactic and then it got fixed.”

To which Armstrong replied: “Guess what, it’s back.”

Watch this space…