Search
shop

‘Got pulled out after 23k of running and 2k of wobbling’ – Laidlow on Lanzarote

Sam Laidlow gives his reaction after a winning position rapidly turned into an early exit at IRONMAN Lanzarote on Saturday.
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Sam Laidlow endured a rollercoaster day at IRONMAN Lanzarote on Saturday – going from leading and seemingly on course for the win to a rapid exit.

Advertisement

Up and down day

The IRONMAN World Championship runner-up from last year had started the new season in perfect style with his first 70.3 win at Challenge Gran Canaria last month.

However he then swerved the PTO European Open due to “personal issues“.

But his first big target of the season was always Lanzarote and he was first out of the water, nearly a minute ahead of his closest rivals.

And all appeared on course on the bike as he started to put time into his closest challenger, pro cyclist Cameron Wurf.

But in hindsight that dynamic changed markedly in the second half as Wurf first closed the gap and then powered into the lead.

That was no disgrace at all for Laidlow up against an uber-biker – though he had taken Wurf’s course record at Kona in October – but it was rapid nature of how things were changing which set the alarm bells ringing.

Onto the run Laidlow looked smooth, caught Wurf and moved into what seemed a race-winning lead.

But then things started to unravel and he went from leading at the half marathon point to walking and out of the race.

Sam Laidlow run IRONMAN Lanzarote 2023 photo credit James Mitchell Club La Santa IRONMAN Lanzarote
[Photo credit: James Mitchell / Club La Santa IRONMAN Lanzarote]

‘Somehow got heatstroke’

Posting later on Instagram he said: “Got pulled out after 23k of running and 2k of wobbling.

“Body wasn’t taking on any fluids or nutrition so very quickly went I found myself empty on both the bike and run.

“Somehow managed to get heatstroke and am now in bed shivering.

“I wish days like this never happened but right now I’m still learning.

“So happy for my friend and training partner Arthur Horseau to pull off the win.”

And that was the big consolation for Laidlow as Horseau managed his effort superbly to work his way up from fourth – nine minutes back – at the start of the run to be in pole position to take over when his friend dropped out of contention.

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
Kat Matthews vs Laura Philipp
IRONMAN Hamburg pro women’s start list: Laura Philipp vs Kat Matthews in World Championship rematch
Lionel Sanders wins 70.3 St George 2025 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
Triathlon superstar Lionel Sanders says he went to a “dark place” to fuel his latest IRONMAN win
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
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...