Search
shop

IRONMAN explain reasons for Justine Mathieux DQ in South Africa

IRONMAN have explained why Justine Mathieux was disqualified after originally finishing third in South Africa
News Director
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

Justine Mathieux was disqualified for an infringement on the bike after originally finishing third behind Laura Philipp and Fenella Langridge at IRONMAN South Africa on Sunday – and the organisers have today revealed exactly why.

The Frenchwoman led the chase group early on the bike in pursuit of Philipp, Langridge and Jade Roberts and by T2 was a clear second behind Philipp.

She crossed the line in third, 52 seconds adrift of Langridge, to register what would have been a hugely significant result in the relatively early stages of her career.

But not long after the finish she’d disappeared from the IRONMAN tracker and she didn’t feature on the podium.

Advertisement

Organisers reveal reason for DQ

She posted herself on social media later calling it an “injustice” (see below) and we contacted IRONMAN to establish exactly what had led to the disqualification.

And an IRONMAN spokesperson told us: “Justine Mathieux was issued a penalty on the bike course by a referee for an incomplete pass.

“Justine failed to serve the penalty on the bike course but instead served the penalty mid-way through the run leg which led to her being disqualified.

“Justine was not immediately stopped as athletes are entitled to complete the entire course, and lodge an appeal post-race.”

Mathieux calls it an ‘injustice’

“There is a first time for everything, and this is the first time in my short career that I have suffered such injustice,” wrote Mathieux on her Instagram page within hours of the DQ.

“On the bike when I tried to pass the group to escape at the end of the first lap, I didn’t, in other words, pass fast enough (I was last in the group at the time, as I had just dropped my nutrition and was planning to go back up the front).”

She added that she felt the referee didn’t flag the penalty at that point – in what were tough rainy and windy conditions – and said she only heard of the disqualification when crossing the finish line.

That prompted us to reach out to IRONMAN to establish the exact process from their perspective.

The consequences of a disqualification are severe for Mathieux. The prize money for third was $9,000, there were automatic qualification slots for the IRONMAN World Championship for the top four, plus PTO rankings points and much more.

Her removal from the results meant Penny Slater moved up to third and Laura Zimmerman took the fourth Kona spot despite finishing well over five minutes adrift of Mathieux.

Philipp Langridge Slater IRONMAN SA podium 2023
Mathieux was conspicuous by her absence from the podium shots [Photo credit: IRONMAN South Africa]
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
Dave Ellis / Luke Pollard - World Para Triathlon Championships Pontevedra 2023
Golden opportunity – British Triathlon launches search for LA2028 paratriathlon guides
IRONMAN Lanzarote 2024 - Anne Haug on run course
Best marathon shoes for Ironman – the ‘legal’ super shoes you CAN wear to level up your run split
Challenge Sanremo 2024 - Photo: Jose Luis Hourcade
How to fuel your triathlon training: Expert nutritionist tips to help you nail every session
swim start IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2024 photo credit Tony Svensson IRONMAN
Level up your Ironman swim split – must-read tips from an expert swim coach
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
latest News
Taylor Knibb 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Taupo New Zealand
US triathlon phenom Taylor Knibb hails great rival Kat Matthews for record-breaking IRONMAN Texas win
Richard Varga Jonny Brownlee Arzachena
Triathlon legend Jonny Brownlee reveals ‘Last Dance’ motivation behind latest challenge
IRONMAN Kona 2022 Age Group Results
How will “re-imagined” IRONMAN World Championship at Kona actually look for Age Groupers?
Lucy Charles-Barclay IRONMAN World Championship Kona 2023 Finish
IRONMAN World Championship goes ALL IN on Kona again with men and women to race on same day from 2026
Laura Philipp and Kat Matthews on the run at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship
Nice gets consolation prize of 70.3 Worlds after IRONMAN World Championships return to Kona
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...